Phenolic resins

Viac o knihe

A backward glance at the new industries of the 20th century reveals significant contributions from communications, automobiles, aircraft, and computers, all of which have shaped the global economy. However, the Plastics Industry, often overlooked, emerged early in the century thanks to Dr. Leo Hendrik Baekeland (1863-1944). He pioneered the technique for manufacturing highly crosslinked plastics by transforming monomeric and oligomeric phenolic materials into appealing phenolic products, a method still in use today. Phenolics, one of the many types of commercially available plastics, are notable for their diverse applications compared to other thermoset or thermoplastic resins. While thermoplastic resins, like polypropylene, are easily recognized as "plastics" in molded products, films, or synthetic fibers, phenolic resins are often embedded within material systems, making their identity less apparent. These systems include fiber-reinforced composites, honeycomb paneling, electrical laminates, acid-resistant coatings, wood panels, and insulation materials like glass fiber or rock wool. Consequently, the identity of phenolic resins remains largely unrecognized by consumers, despite their significant role in various applications.