Abstract
Thermosetting phenolic resin becomes an insoluble and infusible cured product through continued crosslinking reaction. Typical characteristics of the cured product include (1) high dielectric property and (2) high thermal resistance.Regarding the thermal resistance, the cured product will not melt but only become carbonized when being continuously heated. Having this characteristic, the cured product finds its applications where the thermal resistance is desired. As the phenolic resin is widely utilized in various fields by taking advantages of its property, it has been demanded to further develop functionality as well as materials exhibiting such functionality. Referring to other high molecular materials, developments have been made for nearly the last twenty years to simplify steps of synthesizing spheroidized minute particles and apply the same as advanced materials. Also with regard to thermosetting phenolic resins, various methods of efficiently synthesizing minute particles have been considered, and the resulting particles are now finding its utility in view of the efficient production, the spheroidized property and the carbonized property. In recent years, there have been filed many patent applications relating to the synthesizing method and utilization. However, there seem only a few literatures or papers in this field. After nearly the last twenty years studies, the author of this paper settled methods of synthesizing various phenolic resin minute particles, and further extending the preparation and practical application thereof. This paper summarizes patents as well as studies regarding the fabrication method of the phenolic resin minute particles, their practical application and utilization, and also introduces new developments and feasibility with regard to the utilization of the phenolic resin minute particles and their application as advanced carbonized material. Also, it is intended to report one aspect of the phenolic resin minute particles that have been developed by our company.
