What Is Flamex Melamine Foam?

What is melamine foam?

History
Flamex is the brand name of various melamine foam products from Merford Acoustic Materials. In the past, Flamex (Basotect) was exclusively applied in yacht- and shipbuilding to cover machine rooms with. Flamex was aslo applied in appliance and machine building in order to absorb mechanical airborne noise. These variants Flamex FC and Flamex PU, are still being used in situation in which the absorption materials need to meet high requirements.

Nowadays, the range of Flamex products has become significantly bigger. In this article, you will read everything about the various types of Flamex that are used in order to improve room acoustics.

What is Flamex? 
Flamex is a foam with an open cel structure made from melamine resin, a thermoset polymer. A three dimensional molecular network structure is created during the production process, which results in unique product properties compared to other foam products such as polyurethane foam. One of these properties, fire safety, has yielded the brand name Flamex. If Flamex burns, nitrogen gas is released, which has a flame-retardant effect.

Flamex has a hard molecular structure, making it very easy to cut the material to size. Since foam flexes less while cutting compared to, for example, polyurethane foam, it can be carved into all kind of paterns, textures and sizes. The production process delivers an open cell structure. This causes the texture of the material to consist of small air bubbles. Usually, these are smaller than 5 mm, but per squared metre there can be a maximum of 10 wholes of 5 to 15 mm visible at the surface.

Flamex provides acoustic comfort 
The Acousticshop has a nice range of various types of Flamex, for improving room acoustics. Since it is so easy to process the product, the design can be taylored to any situation.

On our tips page "Suffering From Reverberation?" you can find general information about the problem of reverberation. The article 'Reverberation at Home', focusses specifically on improving the room acoustics at home. The following types of Flamex are suitable to optimise the acoustic climate of your room.

• Flamex Edge
  The most popular variant for improving room acoustics is Flamex Facet. A sturdy foam panel with a thickness of 50 mm that guarantees good absorption values and ease of installation. Een stevig schuimpaneel met een dikte van 50 mm welke garant staat voor prima absorptiewaarden en montagegemak. Due to the facet edge around the panels can be placed against each other, without the elongation or shrinkage of 2% to become visible. Flamex Facet is available in white and grey.
• Flamex Pyramide
  In our range you will find two panels with a different pyramide structure. One has a pyramide structure with the following dimensions: 100 x 100 x 50 mm on a foundation of 20 mm. The other variant has a smaller pyramide structure: 50 x 50 x 30 mm on a foundation of 20 mm. Flamex Pyramide has a typical studio-look, but can also be applied at school, home or in offices.
• Flamex Basic
  As the name of this variant already indicates, the basic variant comes at a basic price. Flamex Basic isn't processed and has a flat structure, making it suitable to cover the ceiling with. Flamex Basic has a neutral look, because of which it is almost invisible (except for some small seams between the different plates). Basic products, such as Akotherm Basic and Flamex Basic, are often applied in sports canteens, schools, or club buildings, due to their attractive price and ease of application and installation. Are you planning to apply the variant with a thickness of 15 mm? Make sure to provide enough squared metres of material. The absorption values at this thickness are indeed very low.
• Flamex Cube Baffles
  De Flamex Cubes are sound absorbing 3D objects, also called baffles. Often, these are applied in order to improve the acoustics of high rooms. Baffles are installed vertically, they absorb sound at all sides and they shorten the way that the sound travels. These acoustic objects improve the acoustics and give a nice touch to the interior. Areas of application are high class or meeting rooms, and studios. 

Technical specifications and properties

• Absorption values of Flamex Basic  
  35 mm thick: NRC = 0,65; αw = 0,60
  50 mm thick: NRC = 0,80; αw = 0,75
  70 mm thick: NRC = 0,90; αw = 0,95
  
  Measurement reports of other variants of Flamex are only availble upon request.
   
• Fire classification Flamex
  EN-13501-1 fire class C, smoke number S2, drip number D0. DIN 4102 class B1.
  Temperature resistance: -43 °C up to +100 °C.
    
• Colours
  Flamex is available in two colours:
  White, approximately RAL9001.
  Light grey, approximately RAL7047.
  Flamex is not paintable.

Tolerance and deviations
Because of processing reasons, a cutting tolerance applies to most Flamex variants, according to volgens DIN ISO 286-1 IT17. Tolerances from the dimensions are approximately 2%. Since Flamex has an elongation and shrinkage of 2% the product needs to acclimatise for about 12 hours in the room where the product will be aplied.

Tips for processing and installation
Because of its elongation and shrinkage properties, Flamex cannot be attached by means of double-sided tape, but only by using Stauf Extreme Tack adhesive paste. This odourless adhesive paste can easily be applied and ensures a direct adhesion on pratically every substrate. In order to cut Flamex to size you can make use of a ceramic knife.

Questions? 
Do you have any questions concerning this topic? Please feel free to contact us.