Urea-formaldehyde resins (UF) are produced from urea and formaldehyde. The largest use for UF resins is in binders or adhesives for dry-process wood products, such as fibrous and granulated wood composites, mainly particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). UF resins account for around 95% of wood adhesives used in particleboard production. Most particleboard is used to make cabinets, case goods, doors, countertops, furniture, and fixtures; some is used for flooring underlayment and decking in new home construction. Glass fiber mats are the preferred roofing material for roof shingles, asphalt roofing tiles, and built-up (roll) roofing. UF resins are used as binders that hold the glass fibers together until an asphalt coating is applied. Other applications for UF resins include laminates, molding compounds (electrical switches and circuit breakers), cross-linking agents for surface coatings, textile treating, and paper treating and coating.
