A toxic, non-flammable, colourless-to-white crystalline solid, melamine does not dissolve in organic solvents, dissolves only very slightly in ethanol, and is sparingly soluble in water, and sublimes slowly before melting at 347°C. Polymerised with formaldehyde it forms melamine resins — used in coatings, laminates, insulators, adhesives and moulded tableware — and it also lends wet strength to paper. It entered food-safety history as an adulterant: added to milk and animal feeds to fake protein readings in nitrogen-based assays, it causes kidney damage, especially together with cyanuric acid. Maximum limits, dairy and feed testing, and migration limits for melamine food-contact ware now protect the supply chain.