Textile Glossary

Phenolic resin (phenoplast)

Definition

Thermosetting plastics formed by the curing of phenolic resins.

Use in the textile industry

Phenolic resins are used in the textile industry primarily as binders in nonwoven fabric production and for the consolidation of fiber webs. They are also used in the manufacture of abrasive and friction materials and as impregnating agents for technical textiles, due to their high resistance to heat and chemicals. Their infusibility after curing makes them particularly suitable for applications where thermal stability is required.

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Frequently asked question

Phenolic resins are thermosets that are irreversibly cross-linked after curing and cannot be remelted or reshaped. Thermoplastics, by contrast, can be repeatedly softened and reformed by the application of heat, because their molecular chains are not permanently cross-linked. This fundamental difference in molecular structure determines the respective fields of application and the recyclability of the materials.

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