Melamine VS Plastic Material

Ever wonder what a melamine plate looks like in your household? Maybe you’re not aware that your favorite dinnerware is a melamine plate. You may have mistaken it as plastic plates, the ones your mom used as a replacement so you wouldn’t break another one from her glass or ceramic plate collection.  

Although melamine is a type of plastic found in many reusable plates, utensils, and cups, there is still a huge difference between melamine tableware and plastic tableware. That is why a lot of people are labelling melamine as plastic’s prettier and more durable older sister. Well, let’s find out. 

COMPONENT

Melamine wares are organic-based and nitrogen-rich. It is a very versatile material that makes the product durable and break-resistant. Its application can be found in furniture like kitchen cabinets and tables to critical parts used in electrical installations. 

While plastic wares are mostly made from ethylene and propylene which are labelled as a key building block in plastic and are vital to many manufacturing industries.

TYPE

Plastic is a single-use disposable plastic. Therefore, it is environmentally-damaging. Whereas, melamine is durable for long-term usage and therefore sustainable and environment-friendly.

SMELL

Do you have in mind what plastics usually smell? Well, there are actually mild moldy, cheesy or acidic smelling molecules in plastic ware while melamine ware have no smell at all!

HARDNESS & SAFETY

Melamine wares are harder than plastic wares. It is a very durable material that is shatter-proof and break-resistant. It is also safer than plastic especially when it is made with 100% Food Grade Melamine like how TPS products are.

IGNITION TEST

Something we can all agree on is that plastic wares are flammable. Leaving a foul and toxic smell when used in a not recommended temperature. 

On the other hand, melamine is non-combustible- it cannot burn easily. Melamine doesn't absorb the heat from plated foods, reducing accidental burns. So if you pour a hot soup into a soup bowl, it would not transfer heat onto your palms that easily. Unlike with plastic, you can feel the heat the moment you put the hot soup in it and can possibly melt in an instant. 

COST & CONSUMPTION

Melamine and Plastic materials both won’t hurt your pockets. They are generally cheaper than popular materials such as porcelain and ceramic. In terms of their lifespan, melamine is long-lasting because plastic wares are single-use disposables. 

There are more characteristics to discuss about the comparison between Melamine and Plastic materials, you can use this table as a reference. 

Ready to purchase your melamine tablewares? Get them now at The Plate Story and start your safe and memorable meal times with us!

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