Phenolic resin is a strong and heat-resistant thermosetting plastic made from a carbon-based alcohol and aldehyde. It can be used in a variety of industrial and residential applications, including as a laminate for kitchens and bathrooms, electronic circuit boards, and as a replacement for metal in aviation and marine applications. Its fire resistance and ability to form stable adhesive bonds make it useful in spacecraft and transportation equipment.
Phenolic resin is a thermosetting plastic formed by a reaction of a carbon-based alcohol and a chemical called aldehyde. Formaldehyde is a common raw material for this type of resin, but other related chemicals can be used. The resin is tough, heat resistant and can be mixed with a wide variety of materials for industrial and residential uses.
A phenol is an aromatic hydrocarbon, which means it contains a group of six carbon atoms connected in a circular arrangement. This molecular shape allows the molecule to bind to other molecules at selected sites around the ring. An aldehyde provides a connecting molecule that creates a regular pattern or grid of phenolic groups. The reaction occurs with heat and creates a very strong and stable polymer called a thermosetting plastic. Hydroxybenzene, or C6H6O, is often called phenol and is a common raw material. Other phenolic chemicals may be used, including material separated from cashew shells.
There is a wide variety of uses for phenolic resin in commercial and domestic applications. It can be cured around a canvas or fiber core to create rigid parts used for pump impellers, gears or other heat resistant applications. If the paper is saturated with this resin, a popular laminate for kitchens and bathrooms can be created. In the early 20th century, resin was mixed with wood fibers to create Bakelite®, a popular material for oven handles, cooking tools, and decorative parts on doors and cabinets.
Phenolic resin board is widely used for electronic circuits in the 21st century. Cured resin is often blended with small amounts of natural or synthetic fibers to prevent breakage, as resin can be brittle once cured. The cards do not conduct electricity and resist the heat generated by electronic equipment.
Compressors and pumps can use phenolic parts due to their chemical and heat resistance. Uncured resin is a liquid, so custom part shapes can be molded to meet specific requirements. The parts are lightweight and can replace metal in aviation or marine applications where weight savings are needed.
Fire resistance is a key benefit for phenolic resin because the material chars rather than burns. Coal is a reaction in which molecules are transformed into a carbon structure rather than burning as ash. Resins exposed to extreme heat emit very few toxic fumes, making them useful in aircraft and automobile parts. In spacecraft, heat shields and rocket nozzles can be made from phenolic resins, providing a material that will wear out and resist burning.
The circular shape of the carbon of phenols makes the resins useful as adhesives. They form good chemical bonds with a wide range of materials and will create a very stable adhesive bond once cured. These adhesives are widely used for laminated or laminated construction boards, decorative boards and interior surfaces in transportation equipment.
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