OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified Melamine Foam

1 Melamine Foam （MF-SG）Overview

Melamine foam is a novel multifunctional material made from melamine-formaldehyde （MF-SG） resin through high-temperature foaming. It possesses a unique three-dimensional structure system with an open-cell rate exceeding 99% . This structure grants it multiple exceptional properties including excellent sound absorption,flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and environmental friendliness . Compared to traditional foam materials, the distinctive feature of melamine foam lies in its thermosetting plastic nature, which endows the product with higher thermal stability and aging resistance. It can work for long periods in extreme temperature environments ranging from -200°C to +240°C without deformation or decomposition .

In recent years, with enhanced environmental awareness and advancements in material technology, low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG） has been successfully developed and industrialized as an upgraded product. Through innovative formula processes and special post-treatment technologies, companies are able to effectively control the free formaldehyde content in the product, making it far below international environmental standards. This meets the demands of sectors with strict indoor air quality requirements, such as home decoration, automotive manufacturing, and public transportation. Melamine foam has an extremely low density (only 8-12 kg/m³), making it one of the lightest foam materials in the world, yet it exhibits surprising mechanical strength and durability, allowing it to meet the demanding requirements of various application scenarios .

As an environmentally friendly material, low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG） not only reduces the use of harmful substances during production but can also be recycled after its service life, aligning with the development philosophy of a circular economy. Its highly open-cell structure can effectively adsorb and eliminate odors, improving indoor air quality, while simultaneously releasing no harmful substances, truly achieving environmental friendliness throughout the entire process from production to use .

2 Low-Formaldehyde Characteristics and Safety

Traditional production processes for melamine foam inevitably use formaldehyde as a raw material, potentially leaving trace amounts of free formaldehyde. However, Tebeineng has successfully solved this challenge with low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG）. Through molecular design to optimize the resin structure, using amine-based blocking agents to reduce free formaldehyde, and coupled with high-temperature curing processes, modern production techniques can now control the product’s formaldehyde emission at very low levels (≤75 PPM, water extraction method), far below international environmental standards and even meeting standards for infant product contact .

Regarding safety, low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG） has passed multiple international certifications and testing standards. According to tests using the water extraction method, the formaldehyde content of high-quality products can be controlled below 75ppm, meeting the standard for human underwear and ensuring no health issues even with direct skin contact. Products have also passed SGS certification, with residual formaldehyde content as low as 0.43ppm, fully meeting food-grade hygiene requirements . This high level of safety allows melamine foam to be safely used in sensitive areas such as household products, children’s rooms, and medical environments.

​Table: Testing Standards and Results for Low-Formaldehyde Melamine Foam (MF-SG From SGS)​​

Besides formaldehyde control, melamine foam also exhibits good chemical stability. Its stable chemical structure and cross-linked system make it non-toxic and odorless, releasing no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) or other harmful substances . The product’s hygiene can meet food-grade requirements, preventing the growth of bacteria and mold, thereby maintaining a clean and healthy environment . This high level of safety makes melamine foam an ideal choice of material for enclosed spaces with stringent air quality requirements.

3 Application in Home Decoration Materials

Low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG） holds extensive application value in the field of home decoration. Its primary functions include sound absorption and noise reduction, thermal insulation, and safety flame retardancy . As a wall and ceiling material, it not only effectively improves the indoor acoustic environment by reducing echo and noise interference but also provides good insulation, saving energy consumption . Compared to traditional decorative materials, melamine foam is extremely lightweight (density only 8-12 kg/m³), significantly reducing the load on the building structure, simplifying the installation process, and saving installation costs .

Melamine foam possesses excellent secondary processing performance. It can be easily processed into sheets, profiles, and specially shaped acoustic products (e.g., conical, wedge-shaped, columnar, wavy surfaces) through mechanical methods like cutting, planing, and lathing to meet sound absorption requirements . Sheets can be hot-pressed into acoustic ceilings and rolls with embossed patterns, while also increasing surface strength . Furthermore, melamine foam can be conveniently combined with metals, textiles, non-woven fabrics, and other materials to produce serialized products for sound absorption, thermal insulation, and heat preservation, meeting diverse decorative styles and functional needs .

In specific home application scenarios, low-formaldehyde melamine foam demonstrates multiple advantages:

• ​Children’s Rooms and Bedrooms:​​ The safe low-formaldehyde properties protect the health of children and the elderly; the sound absorption function provides a quiet resting environment.
• ​Home Theaters and Entertainment Rooms:​​ Excellent sound absorption performance (NRC ≥ 0.90) effectively eliminates echo and noise, providing a high-quality acoustic experience .
• ​Kitchens and Bathrooms:​​ Flame retardancy and mildew resistance ensure safety in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, preventing fire risks and mold growth .
• ​Underfloor Heating Insulation Layer:​​ Heat resistance and thermal insulation (thermal conductivity 0.034-0.037 W/m·K) make it an ideal insulating material for underfloor heating systems, improving energy utilization efficiency .

Beyond the above applications, melamine foam is also widely used in the field of household cleaning products. As a cleaning sponge (also known as magic sponge or nano sponge), it relies on its internal nano-capillary structure to adsorb stains, removing stubborn dirt like tea scale and oil stains without the need for detergents. It is suitable for smooth surfaces such as ceramics, glass, and stainless steel . This cleaning sponge has a 99.9% natural antibacterial effect, contains no chemical cleaners, is non-toxic and harmless, gentle on skin, and leaves no residue, making it an economical and eco-friendly household product .

4 Automotive Interior and VOC Control

In the field of automotive manufacturing, low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG） is increasingly becoming the preferred material to replace traditional interior materials. Its main application areas include the underside of engine hoods, interior roof linings, inner door panels, etc. Melamine foam treated with hot pressing is highly suitable for automotive insulation and noise reduction. After compositing with other materials, it can also be used for noise reduction in engine compartments. A typical application is insulation and acoustic panels made by compositing melamine foam with aluminum foil, which not only effectively reduces the transmission of engine noise into the cabin but also provides thermal insulation, improving air conditioning efficiency .

Automotive interior materials have extremely stringent requirements for VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions, and low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG） demonstrates significant advantages in this regard. Furthermore, the material’s dust-free and fiber-free characteristics also prevent indoor air pollution, safeguarding the health of drivers and passengers .

In specific automotive applications, melamine foam offers various solutions:

• ​Engine Compartment Sound Insulation and Thermal Insulation:​​ Using non-woven fabric laminated on both sides, it blocks engine heat and absorbs mechanical noise.
• ​Dashboard Insulation:​​ Flame-retardant cloth composite materials on both sides effectively block engine compartment noise from entering the cabin, enhancing riding comfort.
• ​Door Trim Panels:​​ Possessing good elasticity and ideally low density, used as door fillers providing both sound absorption and thermal insulation.
• ​Electric Vehicle Battery Pack Insulation:​​ Its high-temperature resistance (-200°C ~ +240°C) and flame retardancy (UL94 V-0) ensure battery safety and prevent thermal runaway propagation .

With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, the application prospects of melamine foam in this field are even broader. Its lightweight characteristics (density only 1/4 of polyurethane) help reduce the overall vehicle weight and improve energy efficiency ; its thermal insulation and flame retardancy provide safety protection for battery packs, reducing thermal runaway risks ; its low-VOC characteristics improve in-cabin air quality and enhance the driving experience . These advantages make melamine foam an ideal interior material choice for new energy vehicles.

5 Advantages in Enclosed Space Applications

Enclosed spaces such as aircraft cabins, ship cabins, underground facilities, and elevators have special requirements for material performance. Low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG）, thanks to its multiple advantages, becomes an ideal choice for these occasions. In these ventilation-limited environments, the environmental safety of materials is crucial. The low-formaldehyde characteristic (emission ≤75ppm) and low VOC emission of melamine foam ensure no air pollution, protecting personnel health . Simultaneously, its fiber-free and dust-free characteristics prevent the generation of airborne particulate matter, reducing the risk of respiratory diseases .

In the aerospace field, the application requirements for melamine foam are particularly stringent. Aircraft cabins, as special enclosed environments, have extremely high standards for material weight, fire resistance, and environmental friendliness. The lightweight nature of melamine foam (density only 8-12 kg/m³) helps reduce aircraft weight and lower fuel consumption ; its high flame retardancy (passing aviation-grade standard certifications like CCAR25.853(a)) and low smoke density (smoke density <15) ensure flight safety ; while its low-formaldehyde and low-VOC characteristics guarantee cabin air quality, enhancing passenger comfort .

In the following enclosed environment scenarios, melamine foam demonstrates unique advantages:

• ​Elevator Cars:​​ Sound absorption performance reduces the echo effect in enclosed spaces; flame retardancy improves operational safety.
• ​Underground Tunnels and Subway Stations:​​ Moisture resistance and anti-mold properties adapt to high-humidity environments; thermal insulation saves energy consumption.
• ​Laboratories and Cleanrooms:​​ Dust-free and fiber-free characteristics meet cleanliness requirements; chemical stability resists disinfectant corrosion.
• ​Medical Isolation Wards:​​ Food-grade safety prevents bacterial growth; easy cleaning and disinfection maintain environmental hygiene .

Beyond the above applications, melamine foam also plays a significant role in shipbuilding. Ship cabins are narrow and enclosed, making fire safety and air quality particularly important. The flame retardancy of melamine foam meets the certification standards of various classification societies; it chars upon encountering fire without dripping, effectively inhibiting fire spread ; its corrosion resistance withstands the marine salt spray environment, extending service life ; its sound absorption and thermal insulation improve the acoustic environment and thermal comfort inside the cabin, enhancing crew efficiency and quality of life .

It is worth noting that for enclosed space applications, the ease of installation of melamine foam is also a major advantage. Its lightweight and flexible nature allows it to adapt to various complex curved surfaces, reducing seams and gaps, and improving installation efficiency ; its cut-to-shape property allows for on-site size adjustments to suit special spatial needs ; its compositing diversity enables integration with various substrate materials, achieving functional integration . These characteristics give melamine foam significant advantages in the decoration and renovation of enclosed spaces.

6 Sound Absorption and Fire Performance

The sound absorption performance of melamine foam is one of its most outstanding features, primarily attributed to its unique open-cell three-dimensional grid structure, with an open-cell rate as high as 99% . This structure allows sound waves to easily and effectively penetrate deep into the foam body, converting into the kinetic energy of the grid structure where it is consumed and absorbed, thereby effectively eliminating reflected waves . Experiments show that the sound absorption coefficient of melamine foam can reach 0.92 at 2000Hz frequency, with a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.90, demonstrating particularly significant effects on mid-to-high-frequency noise absorption . This excellent sound absorption performance makes it the preferred material for places with high acoustic environment requirements, such as recording studios, cinemas, and conference halls .

Fire safety is a core concern in construction and transportation, and melamine foam performs exceptionally well in this aspect. As an inherently flame-retardant material, it can achieve the B1 grade for low flammability materials according to DIN 4102 (German standard) and the UL94-V0 grade for high flame retardancy (US Underwriters Laboratories standard) without adding any flame retardants . Upon contact with明火/open flame, its surface rapidly carbonizes without melting or dripping, effectively preventing the spread of fire . Simultaneously, the smoke density generated during its combustion is extremely low (smoke density <15), far lower than similar products (the smoke density rating of flame-retardant polyurethane is 75), greatly improving visibility at the fire scene and the chance for personnel to escape .

​Table: Comparison of Acoustic and Fire Performance between Melamine Foam and Traditional Materials​

The thermal stability of melamine foam is another significant advantage. Compared to traditional thermoplastic foam materials (such as polyethylene, polystyrene) and polyurethane foam materials with lower cross-linking degrees, melamine foam has higher heat stability and aging resistance . It can work for long periods at 150°C, and even for short periods at 240°C, without deformation or decomposition; significant deformation and decomposition only occur at temperatures above 400°C . In contrast, the working environment temperature of foam plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane generally does not exceed 80°C; beyond 80°C, they undergo deformation and decomposition .

In practical applications, the acoustic and fire performance of melamine foam provides multiple values:

• ​Architectural Acoustic Design:​​ It can be processed into different shapes (conical, wedge-shaped, columnar, wavy) to optimize sound absorption effects and adapt to different frequency needs .
• ​Public Safety Spaces:​​ High flame retardancy and low smoke toxicity comply with building fire codes, ensuring safety in crowded places .
• ​Industrial Noise Control:​​ Weather resistance and temperature tolerance adapt to harsh industrial environments, providing lasting and effective noise control .
• ​Transportation Vehicles:​​ Lightweight characteristics reduce vehicle weight while providing fire protection and noise control .

This excellent combination of properties makes melamine foam an ideal choice to replace traditional materials, especially in occasions with high safety and environmental quality requirements. With continuous technological progress and the expansion of application fields, melamine foam is expanding from industrial sectors to more civilian areas, creating a safer and more comfortable living environment for people.

Summary

The low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG） from Tebeineng is a multifunctional high-tech material. With its excellent sound absorption performance, outstanding fire protection characteristics, superior thermal stability, and high environmental safety, it demonstrates broad application prospects in many fields such as home decoration, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and public transportation . Through advanced production processes and formulation technologies, modern melamine foam products have successfully solved the formaldehyde emission problem, achieving very high safety standards (below 75ppm by water extraction method, meeting the standard for human underwear), capable of meeting the needs of the most stringent occasions regarding indoor air quality and health and environmental requirements .

With increasing environmental awareness and ever-stricter regulations, low-formaldehyde melamine foam（MF-SG）will become a mainstream choice for future building decoration and vehicle interior materials. Its unique combination of properties and sustainable characteristics perfectly meet the modern industry’s multiple requirements for material function, safety, and environmental protection, providing an ideal solution for creating a healthier, more comfortable, and sustainable living environment .