SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MODIFIED PHENOLICS AND THEIR APPLICATION AS CURING AGENT FOR EPOXIES

A series of novolak type resins were prepared by reacting formaldehyde with various phenoxy acetic acids using HCl as catalyst. All the synt hesized resins were characterized by spectral studies (IR), viscometri c measurements and by estimating the number-average molecular weight b y vapour-pressure osmometry. Two of these resin samples were used as c uring agents for epoxy resins for studying the kinetics of curing by D SC technique. The cured epoxies were tested for thermal stability. The se resins impart very good heat resistance to epoxy systems.