Studies of Acetone-Formaldehyde-m-Aminophenol Resins and their Composite Formation

An acetone-formaldehyde (AF) resin containing methylol (-CH 2 OH) groups was prepared and condensed with m-aminophenol (mAP) in the presence of alcoholic alkali catalyst at varying mole ratios of AF:mAP; 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2. The resultant AF-mAP resin was characte.,tized by elemental analysis, IR spectral studies, number average molecular weight (M̄ n ) estimated by non-aqueous conductometric titration and thermogravimetry. The curing reaction between AF-mAP resin and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) was monitored by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and kinetic parameters were evaluated. Glass-reinforced composites (i.e. laminates) based on the AF-mAP-HMTA system were also prepared and characterized by mechanical properties.