Phenolic resin

Description

Any of several thermosetting resins prepared by the condensation of phenol with aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, furfural, etc.). Phenolic resins were first made in 1872 when Adolph Baeyer reacted phenol with acetaldehyde. Bakelite phenolic resins were developed by Leo Baekeland beginning in 1907. Examples of phenolic resins are Bakelite, novolac and Catalin. Phenolic resins are used for molded parts, as adhesives and as varnishes.

See also formaldehyde resin phenol formaldehyde.

Synonyms and Related Terms

phenol resin; phenoplast; resina fenlica (Esp.); rsine phnolique (Fr.); resina fenolica (It.); resina fenlica (Port.)

Examples: Bakelite [Union Carbide]; Fiberloid [Monsanto]; novolac; Catalin; Marblette; Agatine; Durite; Durez; Prystal; Fiberlon; Opalon

Additional Information

B.Barth, "Phenolic Resin Adhesives" in Handbook of Adhesives, I.Skeist (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1977, p.382-416.

Comparisons

Physical Properties for Selected Thermoset Resins

General Characteristics of Polymers

Authority

• G.S.Brady, G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 599

• Ralph Mayer, Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

• Theodore J. Reinhart, Theodore J. Reinhart, 'Glossary of Terms', Engineered Plastics, ASM International, 1988

• ASTM, ASTM, "Standard Terminology Relating to Paint, Varnish, Lacquer and Related Products", Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section 6, Paints, Related Coatings and Aromatics, ASTM, D16, 7-Jan, Jul-96

• Pam Hatchfield, Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000