MF
MF is melamine-formaldehyde, an amino thermoset resin supplied as impregnating solution, powder or filled compound for laminates, coating binders, adhesives and moulded parts.
Reference datasheet — MF is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the CEL condition
MF grades and fills
MF is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. CEL is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mineral-filled MF | Choose the mineral-filled type (ISO 180/181/182) when heat resistance to 140 °C, arc resistance and dimensional stability lead, as in commutators, lampholders and terminal blocks; machining is harder. | 50 | 120 HRM | ||
Wood-flour / organic-filled MF | Choose the wood-flour filled economy compound for handles and covers where appearance is uncritical; service tops out at 110 °C and tensile strength at 55 MPa. | 55 | 0.7 | 112 HRM | |
Impregnating / laminating resin | Use the unfilled impregnating resin for saturating HPL decor papers, crosslinking amino stoving enamels and formulating wood adhesives rather than for molded components. | 55 | 0.6 | 125 HRM | |
Melamine-phenolic (MF/PF) molding compound | Pick the melamine-phenolic blend for lower cost, easier flow and better wet electrical performance in switch and socket bodies, accepting that only dark colours are available. | 60 | 0.6 | 115 HRM | |
CELDefault Α-cellulose filled molding compound | Pick the α-cellulose filled compound (ISO type 152/153) as the standard commercial form for light-coloured, high-gloss, colourable tableware, switch plates and knobs up to 120 °C. | 70 | 118 HRM | ||
Glass-fibre reinforced MF | Use the glass-fibre reinforced type (ISO 183/184) for structural electrical parts and commutators needing the highest strength (80 MPa), stiffness and 170 °C service; machinability is the lowest. | 80 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways MF is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FOOD | Food-contact / tableware grade | Certification |
What is MF?
MF is melamine-formaldehyde, an amino thermoset resin supplied as impregnating solution, powder or filled compound for laminates, coating binders, adhesives and moulded parts. It is chosen for surface hardness, scratch and stain resistance and good electrical properties, with cured density around 1.5 g/cm³, 70 MPa tensile strength and service to 120 °C. The cure is a condensation reaction that releases water, so tools must be vented; the cured resin is brittle, abrasive to cutters (machinability 40) and cannot be re-melted or welded. Urea-formaldehyde is the lower-cost alternative where water and heat resistance matter less. MF has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades. MF has a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), stronger than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 9 GPa (1.31 Msi).
What is MF used for?
- Decorative laminate surfaces
- Wood adhesives
- Coatings binders
- Paper impregnation
Advantages
- Stiff — 9 GPa (1.31 Msi), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 60/100, better than 80% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.8%, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Difficult to weld — 0/100, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), worse than 88% of polymer grades
MF properties
Typical room-temperature values for MF-CEL; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical3
MF has a density of 1.5 g/cm³ (0.0542 lb/in³), heavier than 88% of polymer grades.
Mechanical9
MF has a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), stronger than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 9 GPa (1.31 Msi).
Thermal10
MF is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 40 µm/m·K (22.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
MF is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 14 kV/mm (355.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 89% of polymer grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MF takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
MF's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (0/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. MF is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MF
Is MF easy to machine?
Cured stock can be turned, milled and drilled, but it is brittle and the fillers wear tooling — use carbide or diamond tools at high speed and low feed, with a backing plate on the exit face to prevent edge chipping.
Can MF be welded?
The cross-linked structure cannot be heat welded. Use epoxy or cyanoacrylate adhesives, or mechanical joints.
Can MF be formed, bent or molded?
Mainly compression and transfer moulding, with dedicated thermoset injection screws also available: mould temperature about 145–175 °C, pressure 20–40 MPa, hold 30–60 s/mm. Condensation water must be vented by breathing the tool; preheating or high-frequency preheating shortens the cycle.
MF chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| melamineresin backbone from condensation with formaldehyde, F/M 1.5-2.5 | 30 – 55 | 45 |
| formaldehydecrosslinks as methylene/ether bridges | 15 – 30 | 22 |
| alpha-cellulose fillerdefault cellulose-filled molding powder; mineral/glass grades differ | 25 – 45 | 35 |
| pigments, mould release, catalyst (hardepigments, stearate release agent, latent acid hardener | 1 – 5 | 3 |
What surface finishes work on MF?
A polished tool gives a high-gloss surface that can be buffed further. Printed decor paper can be overlaid and surfaced in a second moulding step. Plating is not suitable; sand off release agent before painting.
How much does MF cost?
MF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
MF — frequently asked
What is MF used for?
MF is typically used for decorative laminate surfaces, wood adhesives, coatings binders and paper impregnation. In short: hardest amino thermoset; scratch-resistant laminate resin; low-cost thermoset binder.
What is the tensile strength of MF?
MF has a typical tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 76% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is MF easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades). Cured stock can be turned, milled and drilled, but it is brittle and the fillers wear tooling — use carbide or diamond tools at high speed and low feed, with a backing plate on the exit face to prevent edge chipping.
Can MF be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (0/100). The cross-linked structure cannot be heat welded. Use epoxy or cyanoacrylate adhesives, or mechanical joints.
What surface finishes work on MF?
A polished tool gives a high-gloss surface that can be buffed further. Printed decor paper can be overlaid and surfaced in a second moulding step. Plating is not suitable; sand off release agent before painting.
Can MF be formed, bent or molded?
Mainly compression and transfer moulding, with dedicated thermoset injection screws also available: mould temperature about 145–175 °C, pressure 20–40 MPa, hold 30–60 s/mm. Condensation water must be vented by breathing the tool; preheating or high-frequency preheating shortens the cycle.
What is the maximum service temperature of MF?
MF is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does MF cost?
MF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ISO 14526 — Plastics: Phenolic and amino (MF/MP) moulding compounds, designation and specification — ISO (2017)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics (amino resins) — ASM International (1988)
- Melamine and melamine-phenolic moulding compound datasheets — Bakelite/Hexion, Sumitomo Bakelite, / (2023)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector thermoset moulding compound entries — CWFG / UL (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.