Amino resins

The amino resins are formed by the condensation of aldehydes with amines and are almost entirely based on the urea– formaldehyde and melamine–formaldehyde condensation products. They are typically used for electrical switch housings, knobs, molded dinnerware, adhesives, plywood glues, coatings, and industrial laminates. Crease-resistant garments are produced by pressing textiles impregnated with suitable amino resins into the desired shape. Hexamethylenetetramine, known as “hexa”, is used as a stabilizer in amino resin systems to prevent premature hardening. It decomposes to form formaldehyde and is a possible source of irritating and sensitizing skin reactions, but it has not been a major problem in the plastics or explosives industries. Acetic acid accelerators also do not present unusual problems.