What is Phenolic?
Phenolic is the name usually given to a resin made of phenol and an aldehyde. It is used anywhere rigid materials are needed, particularly to create moldings for consumer products, for some bearings, for insulation, and as a binder. Phenolic may also be used as a term to describe the entire class of phenols. These are simple hydrocarbon groups, similar to alcohols. Phenolic compounds are varied, ranging everywhere from the heat agent in chili peppers to dopamine to the cresols from creosote. While the word phenolic may be used individually to refer to these compounds, the term phenolic compound is more appropriate. Phenolic resins may be made by combining simple phenol with any number of aldehydes, but the combination made with formaldehyde, known as phenolic formaldehyde resin, or PF, is the most widely used. Phenolic resin was the first synthesized resin, and was marketed under the brand name Bakelite, which still exists. The majority of formaldehyde produced is used with phenol and
Phenolic resin can include any of various synthetic thermosetting resins, obtained by the reaction of phenols with simple aldehydes and used to make molded products, including pool and snooker balls, and as coatings and adhesives. See phenol formaldehyde resin for a fuller discussion of the chemistry. The properties of phenolic materials make them very well suited to myriad industrial applications. Phenolics are the result of polymerization between resin and a base material that can be paper, glass or cotton. The base material used is dependent upon the intended application of the finished product. Paper phenolics are used in the manufacturing of electrical components such as punch-through boards. Glass phenolics are particularly well suited for use in the high speed bearing market.
