Differential scanning calorimetry of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives

This paper discusses theoretical background of differential scanning calori metry (DSC) and its application for phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives to c haracterize their thermal curing behaviors. Three different scanning method s (single-heating rate, multi-heating rate and isothermal method) of DSC we re used for liquid and powdered PF resins. The result showed that the singl e-heating rate method gave larger activation energy compared with that of t he multi-heating rate method. The multi-heating rate method was successfull y employed for the thermal characterization of powdered PF resin that showe d two distinctive exothermic peaks. The isothermal method can provide an in sight for how PF resin cures in hot-pressing process.