• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2006

In this work, the effect of cure temperature and time on the thermal stability and the exothermic cure reaction peak of a waterborne resol-type phenol-formaldehyde resin, which may be used for preparing phenolic sheet molding compounds (SMC), has been investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer and a differential scanning calorimeter. The weight loss of waterborne phenol-formaldehyde resin was mainly occurred at three temperature stages: near $200^{\circ}C,\;400^{\circ}C$, and $500^{\circ}C$. The carbon yield at $750^{\circ}C$ for the cured resin was about 62%~65%. Their thermal stability increased with increasing cure temperature and time. Upon cure, the exothermic reaction was taken placed in the range of $120^{\circ}C{\sim}190^{\circ}C$ and the maximum peak was found in between $165^{\circ}C$ and $170^{\circ}C$. The shape and the maximum of the exothermic curves depended on the given cure temperature and time. To remove $H_2O$ and volatile components, the uncured resin needed a heat-treatment at $100^{\circ}C$ for 60 min at least prior to cure or molding. Curing at $130^{\circ}C$ for 120 min made the exothermic peak of waterborne phenol-formaldehyde resin completely disappeared. And, post-curing at $180^{\circ}C$ for 60 min further improved the thermal stability of the cured resin.