Cardanol-phenol-formaldehyde resins: Thermal analysis and characterization

Abstract

Phenolic resins (resols) based on phenol and cardanol, a natural alkyl phenol from cashew nut shell liquid (Anacardium occidentale L.), were synthesized, and their thermal and chemical resistances as well as their mechanical properties were determined. The results show that the addition of certain amounts of cardanol (less than 15 wt.-%) to phenol distinctly improves the chemical resistance and some mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and Izod impact strengths of the resins. At the same time, the high thermal stability of pure phenol-formaldehyde resins still remains in the temperature range of high relevance. © 1996, Hüthig & Wepf Verlag.