CARBONIZATION OF PHENOLOFORMALDEHYDE COMP OSITES FILLED WITH MICROSPHERES - AN IR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY

Carbonization of a resole phenoloformaldehyde composite was studied us ing Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy. Structural transformations that occur in the resin during its beat treatment were analyzed. These tra nsformations involve curing of the polymer via hydroxy groups, oxidati on of CH2 End CH3 groups (below 340 degrees C), elimination of oxygen and formation of lactones (400 degrees C), rupturing of tile C-H bonds , rupturing of the C-O-C bonds (510 degrees C), and condensation (590- 800 degrees C). A method for identification of newly formed supermolec ular structures from IR spectra was Suggested: the carbonized material s were activated with CO at high temperature to eliminate (burn our) t he amorphous fraction of polymer containing aromatic fragments.