A study on composites from casein modified melamine-formaldehyde resin

Amino resins are used for various applications such as decorative plastic plates, decorative wood boards, particle boards, leather tanning, foam, coating, and molding materials. In the present work, it was planned to prepare modified melamine-formaldehyde resin by incorporating casein. The intended melamine-formaldehyde-casein (MFC) resin samples were prepared under alkaline condition with an 1: 3 melamine: formaldehyde ratio. Casein was incorporated in varying proportions ( up to 25% w/w of melamine content) at 85-90 degrees C. The samples were characterized by viscosity measurement and vapor pressure osmometry (VPO). The resin samples were cured isothermally at 60 degrees C using ammonium chloride as well as hydroxylamine hydrochloride and at 120 degrees C using hexamine as the curing agents. Jute fabric (JFRC) and glass fabric reinforced composites (GFRC) were produced by maintaining 60:40 and 40:60 proportion of resin to reinforcement materials, respectively. The laminates thus formed were characterized for their mechanical properties and chemical resistance.