SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXIDIZED PHENOLIC NOVOLACS MODIFIED BY FURFURYL ALCOHOL

The possibility of reacting furfuryl alcohol with the p-position of ph enolic rings, under acid conditions, was proved using different experi mental techniques: size exclusion chromatography, Fourier transform in frared spectroscopy and C-13 NMR. This reaction was then used in the m odification of phenolic novolacs with furfuryl alcohol. After reaction with epichlorohydrin, epoxidized phenolic novolacs (EPN) modified wit h furan rings were obtained. They could be cured with aromatic diamine s in a similar way to conventional EPNs. The presence of furan rings s hould improve burning resistance and smoke emission characteristics of the resulting networks.