Formaldehyde (methyl aldehyde): Overview
Description
Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of formaldehyde-based resins and plastics used in many industries, but mostly in the wood-products industry. Formaldehyde-based resins are also used as adhesives. Formaldehyde is also used in a number of industries including agriculture, the building industry (to water- and grease-proof concrete and plaster), medicine-based industries (forensics, hospitals and pathology laboratories), embalming fluid in funeral homes and crematoria, film processing, textile treatments, leather tanning and a wide range of personal care and consumer products.
Substance details
Substance name: Formaldehyde
CASR number: 50-00-0
Molecular formula: CH2O
Synonyms: formalin, methylene oxide, methyl aldehyde, methanal, HCHO, formic aldehyde, oxomethane, formol, oxymethylene, morbicid, veracur, methylene glycol, formalin 40, BFV, fannoform, formalith, FYDE, HOCH, karsan, lysoform, superlysoform, methan 21, melamine-formaldehyde resin.
Physical properties
In pure form, formaldehyde is a gas but is often used in liquid form after diluting with water. It is a colourless highly flammable liquid or gas with a pungent odour that is detectable at 1 part per million (ppm). Formaldehyde mixes with water, acetone, benzene, diethyl ether, chloroform and ethanol.
Melting Point: -117°C
Boiling Point: -19.2°C
Chemical properties
Formaldehyde reacts with strong oxidisers, alkalis and acids, phenols and urea. Poisonous gases are produced if formaldehyde catches fire. It is very reactive, combines with many substances and polymerises easily.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of formaldehyde emissions in Australia.
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