NATIONAL TEXTILE UNIVERSITY, FAISALABAD

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MATERIAL

Polymer Synthesis

COURSE CODE PE-2106

NAME Muhammad Shehroz Tariq

REGISTRATION NO. 21-NTU-PE-1024

SEMESTER 3rd

DEPARTMENT Polymer Engineering

SUBMITTED TO Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Rehan

DATE OF 24th October, 2022

SUBMISSION
Lab Report No. 2

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Contents
Title: ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Abstract: .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Introducction: .................................................................................................................................. 3
Appratus: ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Chemicals;....................................................................................................................................... 5
Procedure: ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Result: ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Applications: ................................................................................................................................... 5
Discussion: ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion: ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Precautions: ..................................................................................................................................... 6

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 Experiment No. 2

Title:
Preparation of Urea Formaldehyde by Step Growth Polymerization.

Abstract:
Urea formaldehyde is one of the most important formaldehyde resin adhesives. It is polymeric
condensation product of formaldehyde with urea. The synthesis of urea formaldehyde was carried
out by overhead stirrer at laboratory level.

Introducction:
Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin, one of the most important formaldehyde resin adhesives, is a
polymeric condensation product of formaldehyde with urea, and being widely used for the
manufacture of wood-based composite panels, such as plywood, particleboard, and fiberboard. In
spite of its benefits such as fast curing, good performance in the panels (colorless), and lower cost;
formaldehyde emission (FE) originated from either UF resin itself or composite products bonded
by UF resins is considered a critical drawback as it affects human health particularly in indoor
environment.

structure of urea formaldehyde

Urea:
Urea is also called carbamide, the diamide of carbonic acid. Its formula is H2NCONH2. Urea has
important uses as a fertilizer and feed supplement, as well as a starting material for the manufacture
of plastics and drugs. It is a colourless, crystalline substance that melts at 132.7° C (271° F) and
decomposes before boiling.

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 structure of urea

Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde (systematic name methanal) is a naturally occurring organic compound with the
formula CH2O and structure H−CHO. The pure compound is a pungent, colourless gas that
polymerises spontaneously into paraformaldehyde (refer to section Forms below), hence it is
stored as an aqueous solution (formalin), which is also used to store animal specimens. It is the
simplest of the aldehydes (R−CHO). The common name of this substance comes from its similarity
and relation to formic acid.

structure of formaldehyde

Appratus:
 Glass rod
 Beaker
 Measuring flask
 Overhead Stirrer
 Dropper

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Chemicals;
 Urea 10 g
 Formaldehyde 12.5 g
 3 to 4 drops of 50% HCL

Procedure:
 First of all, I added 12.5g formaldehyde in the beaker and then add 10g urea and put the
beaker under the stirrer for mixing with the help of stirrer.
 Continuously mix it until a homogeneous solution formed.
 Then I added 3 to 4 drops of HCL and then stirrer it.
 After few minutes I check the temperature that was 60℃. I increased the temperature and
after 10 minutes I checked the temperature that was 80℃.
 After this I stirrer the solution for 35 minutes after it i added 50ml distilled water.
 Then after adding water I stirrer and heat the solution for 30 minutes and then I took my
sample and cooled it.

Result:
Synthesis of urea and formaldehyde give us a thick white paste type product at the end which can
be stored in bags.

Applications:
Urea formaldehyde is the very common chemical and is mostly used because of its chemical
properties. Examples are textiles, paper, foundry sand molds, wrinkle resistant fabrics, cotton
blends, rayon, corduroy, etc.also used to glue wood together. Urea formaldehyde is mostly used
when producing electrical appliances casing also desk lamps .
It is widely chosen as an adhesive because of its property of high reactivity, wonderfull
performance and low price. It is a chemical combination of urea and formaldehyde and is not
poisonous in nature. The Examples of amino resins include tires from automobile industry in order
to improve the bonding of rubber to tire cord, paper for improving tear strength, molding electrical
devices, molding jar caps, etc.
Urea formaldehyde is also used in agricultural field as a source of nitrogen fertilizer and Its rate
of decomposition is into CO2 and NH3 and is determined by the action of microbes found naturally
in soils. The activity of these microbes, and the rate of nitrogen release is temperature dependent.
The optimum temperature for microbe activity is approximately about (70-90) °F.

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Discussion:
If we need a proper product then we give proper time for reaction. And proper stirring moreover
there is constant need of temperature for good results and give a proper time for cooling.

Conclusion:
From this experiment I concluded that by increasing the rate of stirring the rate of polymerization
also increase and reaction wants almost half and hour to complete.

Precautions:
 As urea and formaldehyde are toxic and dangerous to skin so we must wear the gloves
and mask completely.
 Avoid fast stirring because there is a chance of blown out of solution which contain strong
acid and also keep your body away from the apparatus to avoid the damage.