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Novolacs If phenols and formaldehyde are reacted in the presence of acid catalysts, condensation products are obtained that

do not contain reactive groups. These products can therefore neither react with themselves nor with other compounds and are termed novolacs. Novolacs are solid at normal temperature and generally have a well-defined melt- ing point. The largely inert behaviour of novolacs means that they can only be used for physically drying paints and coatings. They are extremely good soluble in polar solvents such as alcohols, ketones, and esters, but are insoluble in aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., xylene, benzene). Spirit varnishes are novolacs dis- solved in alcohol that are primarily used as unpigmented varnishes; they have an intrinsic yellow color. Their main uses include furniture polishes and rapidly drying coatings (e.g., for wood and toys) in industrial and consumer sectors. Novolacs have a high dilectric constant which means that they can also be used as electrical insula- tion paints. The paint solutions dry rapidly and produce hard coatings that are largely resis- tant against water and hydrocarbons. Novolacs are readily compatible with many other binder classes. Addition of small amounts of alkyd resins or poly(viny1 butyral) resins improve the flexibility of the coatings. Compared with phenolic resol resins, novolacs are of only minor importance as paint binders. Novolacs are, however, still very important as binders for basic dyes in printing inks. (Schenectady Chemicals). Commercial products include Alnovol (Vianova Resins). Bakelite (Bakelite), Schenectady

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