Our experts co-author research on the curing of phenolic-formaldehyde resins
It takes not only production expertise but also advanced scientific research to develop advanced materials for the chemical and abrasives industry.
We are proud to share that experts of the R&D Department at Lerg S.A. co-authored research on the intrinsic curing mechanisms of phenolic-formaldehyde resins for use in the abrasives industry.
Marcin Skowronek, Senior R&D Engineer at Lerg S.A., was responsible for defining the research problem and carrying out thermal measurements to be then included in the team’s paper. Another research team member, Iwona Mroczka, Senior R&D Engineer at Lerg S.A., performed DSC measurements in high-pressure crucibles in a key assessment of water impact on the resin cross-linking process.
The research was conducted in collaboration with scientists of AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow and representatives of the abrasives industry, and focused on the analysis of the curing processes of resole and novolak resin mixtures with hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA).
Responding to the requirements of today’s abrasives industry
For decades, phenolic-formaldehyde resins have been one of the key materials used in the production of abrasives, friction materials and technical composites. Although they are widely used in industrial applications, the curing mechanisms of resole and novolak resin mixtures still remain an area which requires in-depth research.
The research project set out to explain the chemical interactions during the cross-linking process in these systems. In particular, the focus was on the impact of water and pH changes on the curing kinetics and the course of chemical reactions.
The research used advanced analytical techniques, including:
With the use of in-situ analysis methods, the team could closely monitor the changes over a wide temperature range and identify volatile reaction products formed during the curing process.
Key research findings
The results confirmed that the curing process of resole-novolak mixtures is not a simple combination of two independent chemical mechanisms. The research demonstrated that the presence of resole resin and water generated during the process significantly influences the activation of HMTA and the course of the novolak cross-linking reaction.
The findings were as follows:
The results have significant practical implications for producers of abrasive materials and phenolic-formaldehyde resin formulations, as they provide a better understanding of the correlations between the system composition and the technological process parameters.
Scientific knowledge supporting technology development
The involvement of Lerg S.A. experts in research and development projects is part of a consistently pursued strategy of combining industrial practice with scientific knowledge. With our experts co-authoring scientific publications and conducting research in collaboration with universities, we stand in a position to develop advanced material solutions that meet market needs.
The academia and industry working together enable more effective pursuit of innovation and further development of phenolic-formaldehyde resin technologies used in demanding industrial applications.
The full text of the paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c09518
Cite This: ACS Omega 2026, 11, 18, 26206-26219
