Thermal Stability of Cardanol Modified Phenolic Resin

The paper aims to analyze the thermal stability of cardanol modified phenolic resin. Firstly, two kinds of resol-type phenolic resins were synthesized: cardanol modified phenolic resin (CMPR) and pure phenolic resin (PPR). The two synthesized phenolic resins were cured. Then the chemical structures of cured CMPR and PPR were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). The thermal properties of cured CMPR and PPR were also analyzed by means of thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at various linear heating rates of 5 degrees C/min, 10 degrees C/min, 15 degrees C/min and 20 degrees C/min. Finally, based on the data obtained from thermogravimetric analysis, the decomposition activation energy of CMPR and PPR was calculated by Kissinger method. FTIR analysis indicated that the CMPR was synthesized successfully. TGA analysis demonstrated that four distinct thermal weight loss stages had been observed during the whole decomposition process of the PPR. Two weight loss stages were observed during the decomposition process of the CMPR and the first weight loss stage was very obscure and could be neglected. Moreover, the decomposition activation energy of the CMPR was about 198.81 kJ/mol, which was higher than that of the PPR, 129.70 kJ/mol. It means the overall thermal stability of CMPR is better than that of PPR.