Polymers, formaldehyde Properties

Physical and Chemical Properties. The reaction of urea and formaldehyde forms a white soHd. The solubihty varies with the methylene urea polymer chain length longer-chain, higher molecular-weight UF polymers are less water-soluble than short-chain polymers. Physical properties of the methylene urea polymers which have been isolated are compared to urea in Table 1. 

While catalysts are also used in the production of other types of polymers, the properties of most of these materials are not particularly dependent on the type of catalyst employed. Many poly condensation reactions, e. g. the formation of polyesters, polyamides or urea-formaldehyde resins, are speeded up by addition of some Bronsted or Lewis acids. Since relevant properties of these polymer products, such as their average chain lengths, are controlled by equilibrium parameters, primarily by the reaction temperatures and molar ratios of the monomers employed, and since their linkage patterns are dictated by the functional groups involved, addition of a catalyst has little leverage on the properties of the resulting polymer materials. 

KI1 Kim, M.G., Nieh, W.L., Sellers, T., Wilson, W.W., and Mays, J.W., Polymer solution properties of a phenol-formaldehyde resol resin by gel permeation ehromatography, intrinsic viscosity, static hght scattering, and vapor pressure osmometric methods,/wJ. Eng. Chem. Res., 31, 973,1992. 

Definition Polymer derived from toluenesulfonamide and formaldehyde Properties Solid Toxicology TSCA listed... 

Synonyms Formaldehyde, phenol polymer Formaldehyde, polymer with paraformaldehyde and phenol Paraformaldehyde, formaldehyde, phenol polymer Paraformaldehyde, phenol polymer Phenol-formaldehyde copolymer Phenol, formaldehyde polymer Phenol, polymer with formaldehyde Phenol, polymer with paraformaldehyde Classification Thermosetting polymer Definition Reaction prod, of phenol with aq. 37-50% formaldehyde with basic catalyst chief class of phenolic resin Formula (CeHeO (CH20)x)x Properties Gray to bik., hard, infusible solid when cured resist, to moisture, soivs., heat to 200 C dimensionally stable good elec, resist. noncombustible... 

Physical properties. All colourless. Formaldehyde, HCHO, is a gas, and only its aqueous solution, which has a characteristic pungent odour, is considered metaformaldehyde or trioxymethylene , (CH20)3, is a solid polymer, insoluble in water and ethanol. 

I ovolac Synthesis and Properties. Novolac resins used in DNQ-based photoresists are the most complex, the best-studied, the most highly engineered, and the most widely used polymers in microlithography. Novolacs are condensation products of phenoHc monomers (typically cresols or other alkylated phenols) and formaldehyde, formed under acid catalysis. Figure 13 shows the polymerization chemistry and polymer stmcture formed in the step growth polymerization (31) of novolac resins. 

Formaldehyde polymers have been known for some time (1) and early investigations of formaldehyde polymerization contributed significantly to the development of several basic concepts of polymer science (2). Polymers of higher aUphatic homologues of formaldehyde are also well known (3) and frequently referred to as aldehyde polymers (4). Some have curious properties, but none are commercially important. 

In addition to the solvent soluble toners, alkah water-soluble toners have been produced. These types include WST produced by Day-Glo and Aquabest produced by Radiant Color. These toners are dissolved ia water which contains a portion of ammonia and, if necessary, some isopropyl alcohol. These toners can be used as binders or additional binders and other additives can be added to give the ink the desired properties. These toners are condensation-type polymers other than the formaldehyde types. 

Aniline—formaldehyde resins were once quite important because of their excellent electrical properties, but their markets have been taken over by newer thermoplastic materials. Nevertheless, some aniline resins are stiU. used as modifiers for other resins. Acrylamide (qv) occupies a unique position in the amino resins field since it not only contains a formaldehyde reactive site, but also a polymerizable double bond. Thus it forms a bridge between the formaldehyde condensation polymers and the versatile vinyl polymers and copolymers. 

Polymers. Quinoline and its derivatives may be added to or incorporated in polymers to introduce ion-exchange properties (see Ion exchange). For example, phenol—formaldehyde polymers have been treated with quinoline, quinaldine, or lepidine (81) (see Phenolic resins). Resins with variable basic exchange capacities have been prepared by treating Amherlites with 2-methylquinoline (82). 

The level of technical service support provided for a given product generally tracks in large part where the suppHer considers thek product to be located within the spectmm of commodity to specialty chemicals. Technical service support levels for pure chemicals usually provided in large quantities for specific synthetic or processing needs, eg, ammonia (qv), sulfuric acid (see SuLFURic ACID AND SULFURTRIOXIDe), formaldehyde (qv), oxygen (qv), and so forth, are considerably less than for more complex materials or blends of materials provided for multistep downstream processes. Examples of the latter are many polymers, colorants, flocculants, impact modifiers, associative thickeners, etc. For the former materials, providing specifications of purity and physical properties often comprises the full extent of technical service requked or expected by customers. These materials are termed undifferentiated chemicals (9),... 

Isohutyhdene Diurea., This is the condensation product of urea and isobutyraldehyde. Unlike the condensation of urea with formaldehyde, which forms a distribution of different UF polymer chain lengths, the reaction of urea with isobutyraldehyde forms a single oligomer. Although similar in chemical stmcture to methylene diurea (MDU), its physical properties are quite different (Table 4). 

The less simple polymers (like the epoxies, the polyesters and the formaldehyde-based resins) are networks each chain is cross-linked in many places to other chains, so that, if stretched out, the array would look like a piece of Belgian lace, somehow woven in three dimensions. These are the thermosets if heated, the structure softens but it does not melt the cross-links prevent viscous flow. Thermosets are usually a bit stiffer than amorphous thermoplastics because of the cross-links, but they cannot easily be crystallised or oriented, so there is less scope for changing their properties by processing. 

The final structure of resins produced depends on the reaction condition. Formaldehyde to phenol (F/P) and hydroxyl to phenol (OH/P) molar ratios as well as ruction temperahne were the most important parameters in synthesis of resols. In this study, the effect of F/P and OH/P wt%, and reaction temperature on the chemical structure (mono-, di- and trisubstitution of methyrol group, methylene bridge, phenolic hemiformals, etc.) was studied utilizing a two-level full factorial experimental design. The result obtained may be applied to control the physical and chemical properties of pre-polymer. 

Phenol-formaldehyde resins using prepolymers such as novolaks and resols are widely used in industrial fields. These resins show excellent toughness and thermal-resistant properties, but the general concern over the toxicity of formaldehyde has resulted in limitations on their preparation and use. Therefore, an alternative process for the synthesis of phenolic polymers avoiding the use of formaldehyde is strongly desired. 

True synthetic polymers came into use when Bakeland came from Belgium and applied his knowledge of the formation of a moldable plastic from phenol and formaldehyde to give the product named Bakelite. This was about 1914. This product, under heat and pressure, set up to a thermo-setting resin and had useful properties especially as an insulating material for electrical items. 

Together, antifreeze, PET, and polyester polymers account for about 98% of the ethylene glycol produced in the United States. It is also used sometimes as a deicer for aircraft surfaces. The two hydroxyl groups in the EG molecule also make EG suitable for the manufacture of surfactants and in latex paints. Other applications include hydraulic brake fluid, the manufacture of alkyd resins for surface coatings, and stabilizers for water dispersions of urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde The hygroscopic properties (absorbs moisture from the air) make EG useful as a humectant for textile fibers, paper, leather, and adhesives treatment. 

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