CAS#: 30525-89-4
The most important use of paraformaldehyde is as a source of formaldehyde groups in the production of many thermosetting resins, together with phenol, urea, melamine, resorcinol and other similar reagents. These resins are used as molding powders; in the wood industry as glues for chipboard, plywood and furniture; as bonding resins for brakes, abrasives and foundry dyes; as finishing resins for paper and textiles; as driers and glossing agents for paints; as insulating varnishes for electrical parts.
Some typical formulations for the production of such resins starting from paraformaldehyde include dichloroethyl formal, methyl phenol, disinfectants, and insecticides, pharmaceuticals such as vitamin A, embalming preparations, dyestuff and special plasticizers.
In addition, paraformaldehyde is used as a fungicide and bactericide in industries as varied as crude oil production, beet sugar refining, and warehousing.
Paraformaldehyde has widespread acceptance as an additive to stop fermentation of the starch on oil-well-drilling muds.
The sugar beet industry used it to minimize the growth of algae in its continuous diffusers. Hotels and motels in humid areas often use it, with or without added mothproofing agents, in small bags hung in closets to prevent the formation of mildew.
In other closed area where humidity is high as in some warehouses, a light sprinkling of paraformaldehyde effectively controls mold and mildew.
In photography, paraformaldehyde is a gelatin hardener and accelerates development. It is the source of formaldehyde in certain fur treatments. It is a component of certain antiperspirant powders. Shrinkage in wood has been reduced by treatments with the vapors form heated paraformaldehyde.