Synthesis, Characterization and Glass Reinforcement of Urea-Formaldehyde-Phenol Resins

N,N'-dimethylolurea (DMU) was prepared and condensed with phenol (P) in the presence of alcoholic alkali catalyst at varying mole ratios of DMU: P, namely 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2. The resultant DMUP resins were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectral studies, number average molecular weight ((Mn) over bar estimated by nonaqueous conductometric titration and thermogravimetry. The curing study of DMUP resins with hexamethylenetetramine (HEXA) was monitored by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and kinetic parameters were evaluated. Glass-reinforced composites based on DMUP-HEXA systems have also been prepared and characterized for chemical, mechanical and electrical properties.