Formaldehyde
Description
Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0), also known commercially as Paraform in its solid polymerized form and listed as E240 in food-related contexts, is a high-demand chemical intermediate.
It is a biocidal agent used across industrial manufacturing and preservation applications. It functions primarily as a crosslinking agent, disinfectant, and reactive monomer in the production of resins and polymers.
In chemical manufacturing, it is the foundational building block for urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins used in adhesives, laminates, and molded components for various industrial sectors.
Textile and leather processors apply it as a crosslinking agent to impart wrinkle resistance, dimensional stability, and wet strength to finished goods during the manufacturing process.
Water treatment operations use it as a biocide to control microbial growth in industrial cooling systems and process water. In personal care, it functions as a preservative in low-concentration formulations.
Pharmaceutical producers rely on it for equipment sterilization and vaccine inactivation processes. Formaldehyde is supplied as an aqueous solution, most commonly at 37% concentration known as formalin.
It is also available in solid polymerized form as paraformaldehyde powder or prills. Technical and industrial grades are standard for resin and chemical synthesis applications across the global market.
Pharmaceutical and reagent grades are available for controlled manufacturing environments requiring tighter purity specifications. These grades ensure compliance with rigorous safety and quality protocols.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -92 °C |
| Boiling Point | -19.5 °C |
| Density | 0.8 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 133 °F |
| Appearance | Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent gas or aqueous solution. The Odor Threshold is 0.8 ppm. Also,formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions (added to prevent polymeri zation) usually contain 6 12% methyl alcohol. |
| Color | APHA: ≤10 |
| Odor | Pungent odor detectable at 1 ppm |
| Form | Solution |
| Water Solubility | soluble |
| Vapor Pressure | 52 mm Hg ( 37 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.377 |
| pH | pH (25℃) : 7.0~7.5 |
| Log P | 0.350 |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29121990 |
| UN Number | 1198 |
| ADR Class | 3 |
| Packing Group | III |
| Storage Class | 3 - Flammable liquids |
| WGK (Germany) | 2 |
Documentation
Other Names
Paraform|Methylene oxide|Methyl aldehyde|Methanal|Formol|Formic aldehyde|Formalith|Formaline|E240
Related Products
Need a chemical? Get a quote within 24 hours.