[News & Trends]:The difference between formaldehyde and polyformaldehyde

Formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde are two common chemical substances that are widely used in daily life and industrial production. Although they have similarities in naming, there are some obvious differences in structure, properties, and uses


Formaldehyde is a simple organic compound with the chemical formula CH2O. It is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. In nature, formaldehyde exists in many biological processes and is widely used in fields such as home decoration, furniture manufacturing, and textile processing. Formaldehyde is mainly used in the manufacturing of adhesives, plastics, dyes, paints, etc., playing a role in bonding, curing, and anti-corrosion in these applications


Polyformaldehyde, also known as polyformaldehyde, is a polymer obtained by polymerization of formaldehyde. Its chemical structure contains a large number of formaldehyde groups, thus possessing some characteristics of formaldehyde. Compared with formaldehyde, polyformaldehyde has a higher molecular weight and better physical properties. Polyformaldehyde is usually solid or resin like, with strong toughness and heat resistance, and is widely used in the manufacturing of engineering plastics, molds, electronic components and other fields. Its high strength and excellent insulation performance make polyformaldehyde an important manufacturing material


In addition, there are some differences in toxicity between formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a highly irritating gas that has irritating effects on the respiratory tract of humans and animals, and has been identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a potential carcinogen. People should be vigilant and take corresponding protective measures against exposure to formaldehyde. As a solid material, polyformaldehyde is relatively stable and generally has no significant toxicity to the human body. However, long-term exposure may pose potential health risks


In summary, there are significant differences between formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde in terms of structure, properties, and uses. Formaldehyde, as a simple organic compound, is mainly used in fields such as adhesives and paints; Polyformaldehyde, as a polymer, is widely used in manufacturing materials, engineering plastics, and other fields. During use, attention should be paid to the irritation and potential toxicity of formaldehyde, and corresponding safety measures should be taken. For polyformaldehyde, caution should also be exercised when using it to avoid the potential risks of prolonged exposure.