Resole polymer

In the manufacture of pure resorcinol resins, the reaction can be violently exothermic unless controlled by the addition of alcohols. Because the alcohols perform other useful functions in the glue mix, they are left in the liquid adhesive. PRF adhesives are generally prepared firstly by reaction of phenol with formaldehyde to form a PF resol polymer, that has been proved to be in the greatest percentage, and often completely, linear [95], In the reaction step that follows the resorcinol chemical is added in excess to the PF-resol to react it with the PF-resin -CH2OH groups to form PRF polymers in which the resorcinol groups can be resorcinol chemical or any type of resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer. 

Baekeland found that a relatively stable resole prepolymer could be obtained by the controlled condensation of phenol and formaldehyde under alkaline conditions. These linear polymers of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) may be converted to infusible cross-linked polymers called resites by heating or by the addition of mineral acids. As shown in structure 4.80, the initial products obtained when formaldehyde is condensed with phenol are hydroxybenzyl alcohols. The linear resole polymer is called an A-stage resin, and the cross-linked resite is called a C-stage resin. 

Increased bonding strength has been achieved by priming the wood with a polymeric isocyanate prior to the application of the phenolic adhes-ive. A mixture of an alkaline novolac/resole polymer has shown improved dryout resistance. " Recently hexamethylene-cured novolacs have been also used for metal-metal bonding. " ... 

Stopping the polymer at this point requires the ratio of formaldehyde to phenol to be less than unity. Both methylene and ether bridges are known to be present. The reaction is either acid or base catalyzed, and branching is uncommon at this stage. The products are variously known as A stage resins, novolacs, or resole prepolymers. 

Aqueous dispersions are alternatives to solutions of Hquid and soHd resins. They are usuaUy offered in 50% soHds and may contain thickeners and cosolvents as stabilizers and to promote coalescence. Both heat-reactive (resole) and nonheat-reactive (novolak) systems exist that contain unsubstituted or substituted phenols or mixtures. A related technology produces large, stable particles that can be isolated as discrete particles (44). In aqueous dispersion, the resin stmcture is designed to produce a hydrophobic polymer, which is stabilized in water by an interfacial agent. 

Most processors of fiber-reinforced composites choose a phenol formaldehyde (phenoHc) resin because these resins are inherently fire retardant, are highly heat resistant, and are very low in cost. When exposed to flames they give off very Htde smoke and that smoke is of low immediate toxicity. PhenoHc resins (qv) are often not chosen, however, because the resole types have limited shelf stabiHty, both resole and novolac types release volatiles during their condensation cure, formaldehyde [50-00-0] emissions are possible during both handling and cure, and the polymers formed are brittle compared with other thermosetting resins. 

As we have already mentioned, the cure of resoles takes place primarily through further extension of the condensation process, though the conditions are usually considerably different from those of synthesis. The changes in conditions normally include exposure to much higher temperatures and higher concentrations of polymer than are seen in resin synthesis. The pH of the medium may also... 

Cured phenolics are universally brittle in nature. This is true of both resoles and novolacs and does not depend much on the source of methylene used to promote cure. Consequently, the fillers used in molded articles are highly important to the design of the manufactured product. With resoles, the fiber or filler are usually the primary component of the final composite, with the resole acting as a binder or impregnating agent. With novolacs the resin may be the major component in the molded part. Poly-silanes and other organic polymers are also added in some applications to promote impact resistance and toughness [192]. 

The PVF is made by acidic reaction between poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and formaldehyde. The poly(vinyl alcohol) is, in turn, made by hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) or transesterification of poly(vinyl acetate). Thus, residual alcohol and ester functionality is usually present. Cure reportedly occurs through reaction of phenolic polymer hydroxyls with the residual hydroxyls of the PVA [199]. The ester residues are observed to reduce bond strength in PVF-based systems [199]. This does not necessarily extend to PVF-P adhesives. PVF is stable in strong alkali, so participation of the acetals in curing is probably unimportant in most situations involving resoles. PVF is physically compatible with many phenolic resins. 

Standard-grade PSAs are usually made from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), natural rubber, or blends thereof in solution. In addition to rubbers, polyacrylates, polymethylacrylates, polyfvinyl ethers), polychloroprene, and polyisobutenes are often components of the system ([198], pp. 25-39). These are often modified with phenolic resins, or resins based on rosin esters, coumarones, or hydrocarbons. Phenolic resins improve temperature resistance, solvent resistance, and cohesive strength of PSA ([196], pp. 276-278). Antioxidants and tackifiers are also essential components. Sometimes the tackifier will be a lower molecular weight component of the high polymer system. The phenolic resins may be standard resoles, alkyl phenolics, or terpene-phenolic systems ([198], pp. 25-39 and 80-81). Pressure-sensitive dispersions are normally comprised of special acrylic ester copolymers with resin modifiers. The high polymer base used determines adhesive and cohesive properties of the PSA. 

Phenol-formaldehyde resins are the oldest thermosetting polymers. They are produced by a condensation reaction between phenol and formaldehyde. Although many attempts were made to use the product and control the conditions for the acid-catalyzed reaction described by Bayer in 1872, there was no commercial production of the resin until the exhaustive work by Baekeland was published in 1909. In this paper, he describes the product as far superior to amber for pipe stem and similar articles, less flexible but more durable than celluloid, odorless, and fire-resistant. ° The reaction between phenol and formaldehyde is either base or acid catalyzed, and the polymers are termed resols (for the base catalyzed) and novalacs (for the acid catalyzed). 

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. 

J. Monni, R Niemela, L. Alvila and T.T. Rakkanen, Online monitoring of synthesis and curing of phenol-formaldehyde resol resins by Raman spectroscopy. Polymer, 49, 3865-3874 (2008). 

Phenol-formaldehyde prepolymers, referred to as novolacs, are obtained by using a ratio of formaldehyde to phenol of 0.75-0.85 1, sometimes lower. Since the reaction system is starved for formaldehyde, only low molecular weight polymers can be formed and there is a much narrower range of products compared to the resoles. The reaction is accomplished by heating for 2 1 h at or near reflux temperature in the presence of an acid catalyst. Oxalic and sulfuric acids are used in amounts of 1-2 and <1 part, respectively, per 100 parts phenol. The polymerization involves electrophilic aromatic substitution, first by hydroxymethyl carboca-tion and subsequently by benzyl carbocation—each formed by protonation of OH followed by loss of water. There is much less benzyl ether bridging between benzene rings compared to the resole prepolymers. 

These thermoplastic resoles and novolacs are mixed with lubricants, pigments and additives, such as wood flour. The molding compound is converted to an infusible resin by heating it under pressure in a mold. A typical sequence of chemical reactions associated with the formation of this complex, three-dimensional polymer is shown in Figure 15.4. Typical properties of phenolic plastics are shown in Table 15.4. 

Numerous studies have probed how novolac microstructure influences resist lithographic properties. In one example, a series of resists were formulated from novolacs prepared with varying feed ratios ofpara-l/neta-ctesol. These researchers found that the dissolution rate decreased, and the resist contrast increased, as the para-/tneta-cresol feed ratio increased (33). Condensation can only occur at the ortho position ofpara-o.resol, but can occur at both the ortho- and ra-positions of meta-cresol. It is believed that increased steric factors and chain rigidity that accompany increasedpara-ctescA content modify the polymer solubility. 

The subject of thermosetting polymers receives very brief consideration in most books covering the fundamentals of polymer science. Usually the chemistry is represented by the structure of a phenolic network of the resol type, and some statistical calculations based on Flory s derivations are presented. Therefore, anyone trying to get a first approach to the subject finds only books with chapters written by different authors and aimed at specialists in the field. 

---