Novolac

Description

A thermoplastic Phenol formaldehyde resin made in a two step process. The first step involves mixing Formaldehyde with excess Phenol to form a brittle, thermoplastic Phenolic resin. Novolac is then crosslinked to produce an insoluble, thermoset material. This is done by reaction with epichlorohydrin, hexamethylenetetramine (hexa), or p-formaldehyde. Novolac has been made into fibers (novoloid) and used a high strength adhesive (Novolac® DEN 438).

Synonyms and Related Terms

novolac; novolak; novoloid fiber; phenol formaldehyde resin; Novolac®; Kynol®

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in ethanol.

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 297

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

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Marjory L. Joseph, Introductory Textile Science, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Fort Worth, TX, 1986