What is phenolic material, what are its types and uses

Phenolic resin is an industrial laminate that has many applications and formulations depending on its material and specific properties. It has many uses in manufacturing electronics and manufacturing parts. Atlas Fiber is available in a variety of phenolic materials including glass, canvas, linen and paper. Learn more about the many uses and benefits of phenolic composites.

 

Phenolic materials are composite materials created when layers of fabric are coated with phenolic resin, heated and placed under high pressure. Phenolic resin is composed of formaldehyde and phenol, which bond together to form large molecules. Phenolic materials are a type of resin composite material based on phenol and aldehyde. This material is usually formed by polymerizing phenol and aldehyde monomers in the presence of a catalyst. Phenolic resins are known for their high strength, excellent heat resistance, electrical properties and chemical stability.

 

What type of plastic is phenolic?

Phenolic resin is often referred to as the first plastic, like bakelite, and the first commercial synthetic resin was made from phenolic resin. It is a thermoset plastic, which means that once the material is formed, heated and cooled, its shape is fixed.

 

Phenolic material classification

Phenolic materials are usually divided into two major categories: phenolic encapsulation materials and phenolic composite materials.

Phenolic packaging materials: This type of material is mainly used in the field of electronic packaging, such as manufacturing electronic components, circuit boards and insulators. Phenolic encapsulating materials have excellent electrical insulation properties, strong moisture resistance, and good high temperature resistance, so they are widely used in the electronics industry.

 

Phenolic composite materials: This type of material is usually a composite material composed of phenolic resin and reinforcing materials (such as fiberglass, paper, mica, etc.). These composite materials are excellent in manufacturing wear-resistant parts, mechanical parts, insulation parts, etc.

There are three main types of phenolic composites – paper-based, cloth-based and glass-based. Each option has unique properties and applications.

 

  Paper-based phenolic resin

Paper-based phenolic resin consists of a resin binder and a kraft paper base material. It has good electrical insulation and mechanical properties, and has good mechanical properties. It generally costs less than other phenolic types.

 

  Bucky phenolic resin

Cloth-based phenolics are typically made from resin combined with linen or cotton canvas. Each option has its pros and cons. Canvas phenolic generally has higher mechanical strength than linen, but linen is easier to machine. Both canvas and linoleum phenolics can be designed to have more electrical properties.

 

  Glass-based phenolic resin

Glass-based phenolic resins have the best mechanical strength, heat resistance and electrical properties of any phenolic material.

The application of phenolic composites depends on the type of material. G-3, or glass phenolic, is best suited for applications requiring low thermal expansion and high heat resistance. Because of its corrosion resistance, it is often used to make acid-resistant parts. Some uses for glass phenolic resin include:

 

  seal

  Gasket

  oven parts

  structural application

  relay

Paper-based phenolic composites are more suitable for applications that do not require high heat resistance, such as:

 

  obstacle

  switch board

  Terminal block

  washer

 

4.Phenolic Resin Cost Comparison