Impact of phenolic resin preparation on its properties and its penetration behavior in Kraft paper. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thébault, Marion; Kandelbauer, Andreas; Zikulnig-Rusch, Edith; Putz, Robert; Jury, Sandra; Eicher, Iris
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 104(2018)
• Page Start: 90
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Phenol -- Formaldehyde -- Resin -- Penetration -- Impregnation -- Paper; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Eight phenol-formaldehyde resins were synthesized with different parameters. The resins were characterized in FTIR, SEC, viscosity and surface tension. Resins surface tensions are relatively correlated to the number molar mass average. A patented device was used to measure the paper penetration behavior of the resins. The penetration is rather correlated to the resin's polarity than to its viscosity. Abstract: The core of decorative laminates is generally made of stacked Kraft paper sheets impregnated with a phenolic resin. As the impregnation process in industry is relatively fast, new methods need to be developed to characterize it for different paper-resin systems. Several phenolic resins were synthesized with the same Phenol:Formaldehyde ratio of 1:1.8 and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) as well as Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). In addition, their viscosities and surface tensions when diluted in methanol to 45% of solid content were measured. The capacity of each resin to penetrate a Kraft paper sheet was characterized using a new method, which measures the conductivities induced by the liquid resin crossing the paper substrate. With this method, crossing times could be measured with a good accuracy. Surprisingly, the results showed that the penetration time of the resin samples is not correlated to the viscosity values, but rather to the surface tension characteristics and the chemical characteristics of paper. Furthermore, some resins had a higher swelling effect on the fibers that delayed the crossing of the liquid through the paper.