With increasing environmental awareness, the packaging industry is seeing a growing demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly, and efficient packaging materials. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), as a highly water-soluble polymer, has gradually become an indispensable material in the packaging industry due to its excellent film-forming properties, adhesive strength, and good environmental characteristics. 

 

1.Basic Characteristics and Advantages of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble polymer obtained through polymerization, possessing extremely high film-forming properties, excellent adhesive performance, and strong heat resistance. In the packaging industry, PVA is mainly used to enhance the strength of packaging materials, improve protective performance, and enhance the sustainability of packaging products. Compared with other traditional plastic materials, PVA's environmental friendliness is particularly outstanding because it is biodegradable in the natural environment and does not cause long-term environmental pollution.

♣ In addition, PVA also has the following important advantages:

• High water solubility: PVA dissolves quickly in water and has excellent water solubility, giving it a natural advantage in the preparation of water-based coatings and films.
• Good film-forming properties: PVA can form a uniform and smooth film during the coating process, thereby improving the overall quality of the packaging material.
• Water and oil resistance: PVA has good water and oil resistance, effectively protecting the contents of the packaging from external environmental influences.

 

2. Applications of PVA in the Packaging Industry

♠ Oil- and Water-Resistant Packaging Materials

In food and industrial packaging, water and oil resistance are crucial. PVA materials have excellent water resistance, especially high-hydrolysis PVA (such as Elvanol PVOH 80-18), which can effectively isolate external moisture, thus keeping the packaging contents dry and safe. In addition, some PVA materials also exhibit good oil resistance, preventing oil penetration, making them particularly suitable for packaging oily foods.

Application example: For example, using a PVA coating in food packaging can ensure that the packaging surface is not affected by oil penetration, ensuring the quality and hygiene standards of the product. Furthermore, when used in paper-based packaging materials, PVA coatings can significantly improve the water resistance of the packaging and extend the shelf life of the products.

♠ Enhancing the Strength of Packaging Materials

In the packaging industry, the strength and durability of materials are important indicators of packaging quality. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), with its excellent bonding and film-forming properties, can effectively enhance the structural strength of packaging materials. Whether in paper, cardboard, or film materials, PVA can strengthen the material's tensile and tear resistance, thereby improving the overall load-bearing capacity and damage resistance of the packaging.

Application Example: Medium-viscosity PVA materials such as Elvanol 85-82 and ELVANOL 71-30 Polyvinyl Alcohol are commonly used as coatings for paper and cardboard, significantly improving the tensile and tear strength of the paper. This is particularly important for express packaging, protection during transportation, and the packaging of certain high-end products.

♠ Environmental Protection and Sustainability

With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the packaging industry has a growing demand for biodegradable materials. PVA, as a biodegradable polymer, can degrade rapidly in the natural environment, avoiding the environmental pollution problems caused by traditional plastics. Using PVA as a packaging material not only ensures the efficiency of packaging functions but also effectively reduces environmental pollution, making it a green material that meets the requirements of sustainable development.

Application Example: For example, in the food packaging field, using PVA as a packaging coating material not only ensures the waterproof and oil-proof properties of the packaging but also reduces the negative impact on the environment. Especially in areas with high environmental requirements, the application prospects of PVA materials as biodegradable packaging are very broad.

3. Specific Applications of Different PVA Grades in Packaging

Elvanol 90-50

As a high-hydrolysis, low-viscosity polyvinyl alcohol, Elvanol™ 90-50 performs excellently in packaging applications requiring lower viscosity and higher film strength. It is particularly suitable for packaging materials requiring lower viscosity and higher coating efficiency, such as primers for ceiling tiles.

Elvanol 71-30

This medium-viscosity polyvinyl alcohol is widely used in paper coating and paper packaging. Its high film-forming properties and oil and water resistance make it an ideal choice for many packaging applications. Especially in the production of paper packaging and adhesives, it can significantly improve the stability and protective capabilities of packaging materials.

Elvanol T-25 and Elvanol  T-66

These two PVA grades are widely used in the textile industry, but they are also suitable for certain special packaging applications, especially in high-humidity environments, maintaining high weaving efficiency and requiring low additive levels, reducing common shedding and maintenance needs during the weaving process.

 

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), with its excellent film-forming properties, superior bonding strength, and water and oil resistance, has become an indispensable material in the packaging industry. With increasing environmental requirements, PVA, with its biodegradability and environmentally friendly characteristics, has also become a highly favored green packaging material on the market. In the future, with continuous innovation in PVA technology and the expansion of its applications, it will play an even greater role in the packaging industry, making a positive contribution to improving packaging quality and reducing environmental burden.

 

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Polyvinyl butyral resin is widely used in coatings, inks, adhesives, ceramic slurries, and films due to its excellent film-forming properties, adhesion, impact resistance, and good compatibility with various materials. Different application scenarios place different requirements on the viscosity, functional group ratio, and solubility of PVB. Therefore, understanding the structural characteristics and application directions of different specifications of PVB is key to achieving stable formulations and cost control.

 

1. Understanding PVB: Chemical Structure Determines Physical Properties

PVB is a synthetic resin produced by the condensation reaction of polyvinyl alcohol and butyral under acid catalysis. By precisely controlling three core chemical indicators, the applications of different grades are defined:

• Butyral content: Determines the resin's hydrophobicity and solubility in non-polar solvents.
• Hydroxyl content: Affects the resin's polarity, adhesive strength, and reactivity with crosslinked resins.
• Acetate content: Although present in lower amounts, it has a fine-tuning effect on the resin's softness and dissolution rate.

 

 

2. PVB Specification Classification and Viscosity Range Division

From an industrial application perspective, the core distinguishing criteria for PVB mainly focus on viscosity grade and functional group composition. The CCP PVB series can be broadly classified into three categories based on solution viscosity: low viscosity, medium viscosity, and high viscosity.

Low viscosity grades, such as PVB Resin B-02HX, PVB Resin B-03HX, PVB Resin B-04HX, PVB Resin B-05HX, and PVB Resin B-05SY, typically achieve good flowability in low-solids systems, making them suitable for systems with high workability requirements, such as spray coatings, low-viscosity inks, or high-filler dispersion systems. These products help improve pigment wetting and application uniformity while ensuring film continuity.

Medium viscosity grades (such as CCP PVB B-06HX, CCP PVB B-08HX, CCP PVB B-06SY, and CCP PVB B-08SY) achieve a good balance between flowability and structural strength, making them more suitable for general-purpose coatings, composite inks, and adhesive systems. They provide stable adhesion and mechanical strength under normal solids conditions and are frequently used in industrial formulations.

High-viscosity grades such as Changchun PVB B-14HX,Changchun PVB B-17HX,Changchun PVB B-18HX,and Changchun PVB B-20HX are suitable for applications requiring high film strength, impact resistance, or cohesiveness, such as high-performance adhesive layers, functional coatings, and structural adhesives. These products are typically used in high-solids systems, requiring relatively stricter dissolution and dispersion conditions.

Besides viscosity, the performance of PVB is also highly dependent on the ratio of butyraldehyde, hydroxyl, and acetate groups in its molecule. In the CCP PVB series, most HX-type products have a relatively balanced butyraldehyde and hydroxyl content, resulting in good solubility in various polar solvents while maintaining good adhesion and water resistance. In contrast, the SY series (such as PVB resin B-05SY, Changchun PVB B-06SY, and Changchun PVB B-08SY) are high-butyraldehyde and high-acetal-degree products. These PVBs have a lower proportion of polar hydroxyl groups in their molecular chains, thus exhibiting better compatibility in non-polar or weakly polar solvent systems, and are particularly suitable for formulations based on toluene and ester solvents. Its film-forming structure is more compact, which helps improve water resistance and chemical stability.

 

3. Typical Application Scenarios

In coatings and inks, low to medium viscosity HX series PVB is often used as a pigment dispersant or film-forming resin. Its good compatibility allows it to be used synergistically with a variety of resin systems, while reducing the dependence on additives in the formulation.

In the printing ink field, medium viscosity PVB achieves a better balance between adhesion, flexibility, and drying speed, making it particularly suitable for surface treatment of metal, plastic, or composite substrates.

For adhesives, high viscosity PVB or SY series products are more advantageous. Their higher cohesiveness and film strength help improve the durability and impact resistance of the final bond layer. In some formulations, different grades of PVB can also be mixed to finely adjust the system viscosity and application properties.

 

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In the fields of electronic materials, metal foil processing, and high-reliability adhesives, higher requirements are placed on the heat resistance, bonding strength, and long-term stability of resin materials. Polyvinyl butyral resin, due to its good flexibility, polar functional group structure, and excellent film-forming ability, has become an important component of various functional adhesives and electronic-grade coatings. In addition to the traditional HX and SY series, the CCP series of PVB has developed high-performance modified PVB products, represented by the TX series, specifically for high-temperature applications and metal-to-metal interface bonding needs.

 

 

1. Specification Classification and Structural Characteristics of TX Series PVB

Unlike conventional PVB, the TX series products are high-thermal-stability, high-viscosity modified PVBs. While maintaining the acetal backbone, their molecular structure significantly improves heat resistance and bonding reliability through functional group ratios and molecular weight design.

From a viscosity grade perspective, the TX series can be divided into two main categories:

• One category is medium-to-low viscosity modified PVB, represented by PVB B-03TX, mainly used in applications requiring high application flowability and coating uniformity. These products, while maintaining basic adhesion, help reduce system viscosity, making them suitable for precision coating or thin-film applications.
• Another type is high-viscosity and ultra-high-viscosity modified PVB, including specifications such as PVB Resin B-10TX, Changchun PVB B-11TX, PVB B-12TX, PVB B-17TX, CCP PVB B-20TX, and PVB B-24TX. These products have higher molecular weights and denser film-forming structures, maintaining stable mechanical properties and interfacial adhesion even at high temperatures, making them a core resin choice for electronic-grade and structural adhesives.

 

2. Analysis of High Thermal Stability and Metal Interfacial Adhesion Performance

One of the outstanding advantages of the TX series PVB is its excellent heat resistance. In electronic manufacturing and metal processing, adhesives and coating materials often undergo multiple heat treatment processes, such as baking, reflow soldering, or long-term high-temperature service environments. Ordinary resins are prone to softening, migration, or adhesion attenuation under these conditions, while the TX series PVB, through molecular structure optimization, effectively improves the glass transition temperature and thermal stability range.

Furthermore, the TX series products exhibit particularly outstanding performance in metal interfacial adhesion. The hydroxyl functional groups retained in its molecules can form stable physical or chemical interactions with metal surfaces, improving adhesion to metal materials such as copper and aluminum foil. This property makes it widely used in printed circuit board (PCB) copper foil adhesives, metal composite films, and functional coatings.

In practical formulations, high-viscosity TX series PVBs can significantly improve the cohesive strength and fatigue resistance of the adhesive layer, contributing to improved reliability and lifespan of the final product.

 

3. Typical Applications

In the field of electronic-grade adhesives, high-viscosity grades such as PVB B-10TX to PVB B-24TX are widely used as bonding layers between PCB copper foil and substrates. These applications not only require high initial tack but also emphasize stability under high temperature, high humidity, and long-term operating conditions. The application of TX series PVBs in this field can effectively reduce the risk of interface failure.

In metal foil composites, TX series PVBs combine good flexibility and bonding strength, adapting to the thermal expansion differences between the metal and polymer substrates, reducing delamination problems caused by thermal cycling.

For systems requiring a balance between workability and performance, different viscosity grades of the TX series can be mixed. Due to the good compatibility between various CCP PVB specifications, formulation engineers can achieve precise control over viscosity, flowability, and final properties by adjusting the proportions.

High-viscosity TX series products have relatively high requirements for solvent selection and process conditions during dissolution and dispersion. Proper control of dissolution temperature, stirring intensity, and solid content helps to fully realize their performance advantages.

 

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In the fields of waterproof coatings, impregnated products, and functional coating materials, film formation often directly determines the waterproof performance, mechanical strength, and service life of the final product. Chloroprene Neoprene Latex CRL50LF, as a typical anionic high-solids chloroprene latex, is widely used in waterproof coatings and various industrial impregnation systems due to its stable and excellent film-forming performance in practical applications.

 

1. CRL50LF Film Formation Mechanism and Fundamental Advantages

CRL50LF is prepared from chloroprene monomer through a free-radical emulsion polymerization process, and the latex particles carry a stable negative charge system. This structure lays a good foundation for its film formation process.

Firstly, in terms of film formation driving force, CRL50LF has a high solid content (≥50%). During coating or impregnation, as water evaporates, the latex particles can quickly approach each other and undergo close packing. When the system reaches the critical film formation concentration, the particles deform and fuse under the combined action of surface tension and molecular chain flexibility, forming a continuous and dense rubber film.

Secondly, CRL50LF crystallization resistance is particularly crucial for film integrity. Traditional chloroprene systems are prone to crystallization at low temperatures or after long-term storage, leading to discontinuous film formation or embrittlement of the film layer. CRL50LF, through formula and emulsification system optimization, effectively inhibits crystallization tendency, allowing it to form a uniform and continuous rubber film even at room temperature or slightly lower temperatures.

In addition, Polychloroprene Rubber maintains good emulsion stability under high pH conditions (pH ≥11), which is conducive to maintaining the stability of particle size distribution and rheological properties during actual construction, thereby reducing film defects such as pinholes and craters.

 

2. Post-Film Formation Performance: Density, Toughness, and Durability

The film-forming advantages of CRL50LF are not only reflected in its ability to form a film, but also in the comprehensive performance level after film formation.

In terms of film structure, the rubber film formed by this latex is dense and continuous, with low porosity, providing excellent water barrier properties. This characteristic allows it to maintain reliable waterproofing performance even with relatively thin coating thicknesses in waterproofing coating applications.

In terms of mechanical properties, CRL50LF forms a film with high tensile strength and good elasticity. The film is not prone to brittle fracture or permanent deformation under external forces, making it suitable for substrate surfaces subject to deformation or dynamic stress, such as flexible waterproof layers and fabric impregnation products.

At the same time, the inherent solvent resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, and weather resistance of neoprene rubber are fully reflected after film formation. The CRL50LF film is not prone to aging in outdoor environments and maintains structural stability when in contact with weak acids, weak bases, or various industrial media, providing assurance for long-term use.

 

3. Comprehensive Advantages of Film-Forming Properties in Application and Logistics

In practical applications, the excellent film-forming properties of CRL50LF bring significant process and cost advantages to customers. Due to high film-forming efficiency and good film uniformity, users can reduce the number of repeated coatings in waterproofing coatings or impregnation processes, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing unit cost.

From a logistics and delivery perspective, CRL50LF is supplied in plastic drums or IBC ton containers, facilitating large-scale transportation and on-site use. Good storage stability ensures that the product is not prone to sedimentation or performance fluctuations during transportation and storage, indirectly guaranteeing the consistency of its film-forming performance in end applications.

 

 

In summary, Chloroprene Latex CRL50LF combines multiple advantages in film-forming properties, including easy film formation, dense film structure, excellent mechanical properties, and strong long-term stability. These characteristics make it highly applicable and valuable in the field of waterproof coatings and impregnation products. For industrial customers pursuing stable quality and sustainable production, CRL50LF is not only a raw material choice but also a solution that can improve overall product performance and process reliability.

 

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In the research and development and production of high-performance industrial adhesives, chloroprene rubber has consistently held a core position due to its excellent adhesion, aging resistance, and flame retardancy. However, with the increasing demand for synthetic materials (such as PVC, PU, and EVA) in modern industry, traditional adhesives face challenges such as poor wettability and mismatched polarity.

Among the many types of chloroprene rubber, Polychloroprene Rubber CR244 and Adhesive Type CR248 Chloroprene Rubber are two of the most representative products. Although they share many similarities in their basic physical properties, the differences in the critical dimension of "grafting performance" determine their ultimate performance in different industrial scenarios.

 

1. CR244: The Cornerstone of Rapid Crystallization and High Cohesive Strength

CR244 type chloroprene rubber is polymerized using diisopropyl xanthate disulfide or dodecyl mercaptan as a regulator, possessing extremely significant physical characteristics.

 

 

♣ Physical Characteristics and Performance Advantages

CR244's most prominent technical feature is its rapid crystallization. This characteristic allows the adhesive to quickly establish initial strength after application, greatly shortening the waiting time for industrial assembly. Its regular molecular structure gives the adhesive layer extremely high cohesive strength. At room temperature, the adhesive strength exhibited by CR244 is sufficient to meet the needs of most porous materials.

Its appearance is off-white or beige flakes, with a stable density of around 1.23. In terms of technical indicators, CR244 offers a very finely divided viscosity range. From the ultra-low viscosity CR2440 (13-24 mPa.s, 5% toluene solution) to the high-viscosity CR244B (above 140 mPa.s), this wide viscosity coverage allows adhesive manufacturers to precisely adjust the formulation solid content according to the needs of brushing, spraying, or scraping processes.

♣ Applications in Traditional Fields

Due to its peel strength typically maintained above 90 N/cm, CR244 is widely used in the self-adhesion and mutual adhesion of traditional materials such as rubber, leather, fibers, wood, and cement products. It is comparable in performance to top-tier international models, such as Denka's A series (such as Denka Chloroprene A-100) and DuPont's AD series (such as Neoprene AD-20), and is the preferred base material for producing high-quality general-purpose neoprene adhesives.

 

2. CR248: A Breakthrough in Polarity Achieved Through Graft Modification

If CR244 represents a general-purpose base material, then CR248 is an advanced version designed to address the challenges of bonding "difficult-to-bond materials." The fundamental difference between it and CR244 lies in the plasticity and grafting properties of its molecular chain.

 

 

♣ Core Technology: Grafting and Copolymerization

While CR248 retains the basic performance advantages of CR244, it has active sites reserved during the molecular design stage. This allows CR248 to undergo monomer grafting copolymerization with active monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylic acid (BA) through chemical means.

The significance of this graft modification is that by introducing polar monomer side chains onto the non-polar main chain of neoprene rubber, the surface energy and polarity of the adhesive are significantly improved. This not only improves the wettability of the adhesive on polar substrates but also enhances the bonding force at the interface through chemical bonding.

♣ Professional Performance for Synthetic Materials

In modern footwear, automotive interiors, and luggage industries, synthetic materials such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PU (polyurethane), and EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) are widely used. Due to the high surface polarity or the presence of plasticizers in these materials, traditional CR244 adhesives often experience delamination.

CR248 is optimized precisely for this purpose. The modified CR248 adhesive can establish a stable bridging relationship with these synthetic materials. Although its nominal peel strength (approximately 70 N/cm) is slightly lower than that of CR244, its actual bonding stability and plasticizer resistance on specific polar materials far exceed the latter.

 

3. In-depth Comparison of Technical Parameters of CR244 and CR248

Differences in viscosity control: CR244 tends to exhibit its viscosity gradient at lower concentrations (5% toluene solution), which is more conducive to producing highly permeable primers. CR248's technical specifications are typically based on a 15% toluene solution, and it is divided into Type I (1000-3000 mPa.s) and Type II (3001-6000 mPa.s). This means that under the same viscosity requirements, CR248 can support formulations with higher solid content, thereby reducing the environmental impact of solvent evaporation and increasing the dry film thickness per application.

 

Volatile content and purity: Both products exhibit excellent purity control, with volatile content strictly controlled to below 1.5% (CR248 is further optimized to 1.2%). This ensures that the adhesive does not produce excessive bubbles during the drying process, guaranteeing the density and aging resistance of the adhesive layer.

 

Storage stability: Both products perform similarly in terms of storage requirements. They can be stored for one year at temperatures below 20°C, while in summer environments at 30°C, it is recommended to use them within six months. For manufacturers, strict temperature control is crucial to maintaining the activity of chloroprene rubber and preventing premature self-polymerization.

 

4. How to choose the right product based on your needs?

If the substrate is natural rubber, genuine leather, or wood products: CR244 is the preferred choice. It provides faster initial tack and higher ultimate cohesive strength, and the formulation cost is relatively more advantageous. For products requiring precise rheological control, its wide range of viscosity grades can be used for blending.

If modern synthetic materials such as PVC, PU, ​​and EVA are involved: CR248 is the ideal choice. Especially when your adhesive needs to be modified with MMA to produce "universal grafting adhesive," the grafting active sites provided by CR248 ensure the efficient progress of the chemical reaction, resulting in finished adhesives with excellent migration resistance and cross-material bonding capabilities.

Considering environmental protection and cost: CR248's high solid content characteristics help develop low-VOC adhesives that meet environmental standards. Although the unit price of the raw material may be slightly higher than CR244, its low rework rate and high-performance characteristics on difficult-to-bond materials often result in lower overall industrial costs.

 

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In the textile industry, the sizing process directly determines weaving efficiency, yarn breakage rate, and the stability of subsequent processing. With the widespread adoption of high-speed looms, shuttleless looms, and environmental regulations, traditional sizing systems are gradually revealing limitations in terms of operability, recyclability, and overall cost. Due to its excellent film-forming properties, adhesion, and recyclability, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) has long been a core material in textile sizing systems.

1. Core Performance Requirements of PVA in Textile Sizing

In the textile sizing process, the role of the sizing agent is not only to increase yarn strength but, more importantly, to maintain stable operation under high-speed weaving conditions. Ideal PVA sizing agents typically need to meet the following key requirements:

• Good film strength and flexibility: Forming a uniform and continuous protective film to reduce yarn fuzz and improve abrasion resistance.
• Moderate solution viscosity: Maintaining good fluidity even at high solid content, adapting to high-speed sizing.
• Easy desizing: Effectively removable at lower temperatures and water consumption during the finishing stage.
• Low foaming and low corrosiveness: Reducing equipment maintenance frequency and improving continuous production stability.

Elvanol series of PVA (such as Elvanol 75-15 Polyvinyl Alcohol) , through optimization of molecular structure and viscosity grades, allows different models to precisely match the above requirements.

2. Practical Advantages of Elvanol T Series in High-Speed ​​Weaving

In textile applications, PVA Elvanol T-25 and Elvanol T-66 are typical PVA grades specifically developed for sizing processe.

Elvanol T-25

This product is a low-foaming copolymer polyvinyl alcohol, widely used for warp sizing of polyester-cotton blended yarns and other short-staple yarns. Its main advantages include:

Maintaining good weaving performance even in low-humidity environments, reducing downtime.

When compounded with starch, it can significantly reduce the overall sizing amount, reducing loom shedding.

Not prone to mildew and non-corrosive, facilitating long-term stable operation of equipment.

Can be desized directly with hot water, without relying on enzyme preparations, reducing operating costs.

In actual factory applications, T-25 is often used in traditional sizing systems that prioritize stability and versatility.

Elvanol T-66

Compared to T-25, T-66 has a lower solution viscosity and is specifically designed for medium-to-high pressure sizing machines and high-speed shuttleless looms:

It maintains good fluidity even at high solid content, suitable for high-speed sizing.

It offers excellent yarn separation, enabling a "100% PVA" formulation to improve weaving efficiency.

It is easier to desize, allowing for effective cleaning at lower temperatures and water flow rates.

The low viscosity of the recovered sizing solution facilitates the operation of ultrafiltration recovery systems.

For modern textile enterprises pursuing high productivity and high recovery rates, T-66 offers significant advantages in overall cost control.

 

3. The Value of PVA in Desizing and Sustainable Production

With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the recyclability of sizing agents and wastewater load have become important considerations for textile companies. Compared to some natural or modified starch sizing agents, PVA offers advantages in the following aspects:

• Low BOD/COD characteristics: Helps reduce wastewater treatment pressure.
• Recyclable and reusable: PVA recovered through ultrafiltration systems can be reused for sizing.
• Stable solution performance: The recovered sizing solution has low viscosity and is easy to pump, facilitating continuous production.

 

Elvanol series of PVA was designed with industrial recycling and reuse scenarios in mind, ensuring that it not only meets process performance requirements but also aligns with the long-term goals of water conservation, emission reduction, and cost reduction in the textile industry. The Elvanol series of polyvinyl alcohol provides reliable options for different types of looms and yarn systems through its differentiated viscosity design, excellent film-forming properties, and good desizing and recycling characteristics. Choosing the appropriate PVA grade can not only improve weaving efficiency but also significantly reduce overall costs in the long run.

 

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Compared to thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins are fewer in type and quantity, and often play a "supporting" role. The first synthetic resin ever manufactured by humans was called phenolic resin. Phenolic resin is a thermosetting resin with good balanced properties and is currently sold in the form of laminates (where the resin and base material are interwoven). Phenolic resin continues to play an active role in advanced materials and other unique fields, and can be said to be a resin that influences and supports our daily lives.

 

 

1. What is Phenolic Resin?

Overview of  Phenolic formaldehyde resin

Bakelite is a thermosetting resin known as phenolic resin (Bakelite Phenolic Resin). In industrial applications, it is a thermosetting sheet material applied to paper and fabric. It is also used in adhesives, coatings, electrical insulation materials, and other applications. Its raw materials are phenol and formaldehyde. By mixing these raw materials with acidic or alkaline catalysts and necessary curing agents and heating them, phenolic resin with a three-dimensional network structure can be produced. As a relatively inexpensive thermosetting resin, phenolic resin has excellent heat resistance, strength, and electrical insulation properties, and has been applied to various fields to date. With the emergence of thermoplastic resins, its application areas have gradually changed, but it continues to evolve in its own way to meet new market demands. To this day, various applications are still being developed to fully utilize the unique properties of phenolic resin, and its application areas are expected to continue to expand.

 

History of Phenolic Resin Development

Phenolic resin was discovered in 1872 by a German chemist during research on phenolic dyes; in 1907, a Belgian-American chemist patented the manufacturing method. In 1910, Baekeland established a phenolic resin company to achieve industrial production of phenolic resin and named the product "Bakelite" after himself. This name is still used today.

 

Types of Phenolic Resin

Currently, phenolic resin is generally not circulated as the resin itself, but in the form of laminates made by mixing the resin with a base material (paper or fabric). The manufacturing method involves coating each substrate with resin and then curing it through heat treatment. Laminates with paper as the base material are called "bakelite paper," and those with cloth as the base material are called "bakelite cloth." The characteristics of each product are as follows:

• Phenolic Paper

Phenolic paper is a product made by interweaving phenolic resin with paper. It is cheaper (approximately half the price) and lighter than phenolic cloth. Phenolic paper is recommended for electrical insulation applications. However, it should be noted that since the base material is paper, it has high water absorption.

• Phenolic Cloth

This is a phenolic resin with cloth as the base material. Compared to phenolic paper, it has superior mechanical properties and is therefore often used in applications requiring high strength. On the other hand, like phenolic paper, this base material also has high water absorption, so it must be used in environments with low moisture content.

 

2. Characteristics of Phenolic Resin

Advantages of Phenolic Resin

• High Heat Resistance

Phenolic resin is a thermosetting resin, which means it has strong heat resistance. It can withstand temperatures up to 150-180°C and maintain its strength even under high-temperature conditions.

• Excellent Electrical Insulation Performance

Phenolic resin has high electrical insulation performance, so it is used as an insulating material in printed circuit boards, circuit breakers, and switchboard coatings.

• High Mechanical Strength

High mechanical strength is also a major advantage of phenolic resin. In particular, phenolic cloth has higher strength than phenolic paper, so phenolic cloth is often used in applications requiring impact resistance. However, it should be noted that the strength is affected by the fiber direction in the base material (paper and cloth).

• Suitable for Injection Molding

When processing phenolic resin as a resin monomer, it can be processed using the same injection molding method as thermoplastic resins. The phenolic resin is heated to a temperature that does not cause hardening (approximately 50°C), then injected into a mold, and then heated to 150-180°C to cure it.

 

Disadvantages of Phenolic Resin

• Difficult to Recycle

Phenolic resin is a thermosetting resin, and once cured and molded, it cannot be remolded, making recycling difficult. Currently, companies such as Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. are advancing research on the recycling and reuse of phenolic resins.

• High water absorption

Phenolic resins sold in laminate form contain paper or cloth as a base material. Therefore, they have high water absorption and are not suitable for use in wet environments or environments with high humidity.

• Low weather resistance and susceptibility to alkaline solvents

Phenolic resins are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and must be used with caution outdoors. In addition, phenolic resins are easily soluble in alkaline substances.

 

3. Main Uses of Phenolic Resins

Since its industrial production began in 1907, phenolic resin has been widely used in everyday products around us, such as tableware, kitchenware, buttons, clocks, and clothing accessories. However, with the invention of various thermoplastic resins such as nylon and fluororesins, some applications of phenolic resin have been replaced by thermoplastic resins due to considerations of moldability and cost. Nowadays, the direct molding and processing of phenolic resin itself is gradually decreasing. However, phenolic resin still has a wide range of applications due to its unique properties. For example, phenolic resin, leveraging its excellent electrical insulation properties, is used in printed circuit boards, distribution panels, and circuit breakers. Printed circuit boards are not only essential materials for IT equipment such as personal computers and tablet computers, but also indispensable components in modern electrical products. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that phenolic resin can be applied to all areas of electricity use. In addition, it can be used as an adhesive, shell molding material, and coating. For example, phenolic resin is used as an adhesive in sand molds for casting and materials for 3D printers. Furthermore, its solubility in alkaline substances and its ability to absorb light at wavelengths of 200-300 nm make it suitable for use as a photoresist material. It is also widely used as a high-performance material in other fields, such as metal replacement parts, negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, and activated carbon raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2010, the space capsule that returned samples from the asteroid "Itokawa" also used phenolic resin as a heat insulation material.

 

Phenolic resin, also known as Bakelite, was the world's first synthetic resin, developed over 100 years ago. It is a relatively inexpensive thermosetting resin with excellent heat resistance, strength, and electrical insulation properties, and offers a balanced performance profile. It is generally not marketed as the resin itself, but rather in the form of laminates made by mixing the resin with a base material (paper or cloth). Advantages of phenolic resin include excellent heat resistance and electrical insulation, high strength, and processability through injection molding. On the other hand, phenolic resin also has disadvantages such as difficulty in recycling, high water absorption, and susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation. Currently, phenolic resin is widely used in various fields, including printed circuit boards, switchboards, adhesives, coatings, photoresist materials, and negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Further advancements in its application areas are expected in the future.

 

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Foam is a frequent challenge in water treatment systems, especially in aeration tanks, biological treatment units, sludge handling, and industrial effluent processes. Excessive foam not only disrupts oxygen transfer and microbial activity but also leads to equipment overflow, pump cavitation, and reduced treatment efficiency. To maintain smooth operation and meet discharge standards, the use of effective defoamers is essential.

In biological wastewater treatment, foaming often results from surfactants, organic compounds, and filamentous bacteria. A suitable defoamer helps rapidly break surface bubbles, suppress second-generation foam, and keep aeration systems stable. In sludge dewatering and chemical dosing stages, defoamers improve separation efficiency and help prevent foam-induced delays or equipment contamination. For high-COD industrial wastewater—such as textile, pulp & paper, and chemical plants—defoamers support continuous, safe, and compliant operation.

Modern water treatment increasingly demands solutions that work in high-temperature, high-alkalinity, or biosensitive environments. As a result, low-toxicity, fast-spreading silicone and polyether formulations are widely favored. Selecting the right defoamer depends on foam cause, water quality conditions, and system dynamics. A well-designed foam control strategy not only improves treatment stability but also lowers chemical and maintenance costs over the long term.

Why Choose Rickman Defoamer for Water Treatment

Rickman defoamers are formulated to perform in complex water environments, offering fast foam-knockdown, long-term suppression, and good compatibility with biological processes. From biological aeration to industrial effluent and sludge handling, our product line provides options that minimize surface tension quickly without interfering with microbial activity or treatment chemistry.

In addition to high-performance products, Rickman is committed to delivering professional service and technical support. Our team provides tailored product recommendations, on-site guidance, and rapid response assistance to help customers optimize foam control strategies and improve system efficiency. With reliable supply capability and experience across diverse applications, Rickman supports stable and sustainable water treatment operations.

Click on the related products links：RK-500P（Polyether Defoamer For Paper Industry）/RK-1215A（Water-based Silicone Antifoam Agent）

In both the pulp & paper and concrete industries, foam control plays a crucial role in maintaining process stability and final product quality. Excessive foam can interfere with pulp washing, coating, or cement mixing, leading to production inefficiencies, material waste, and compromised surface finishes. Selecting the right defoamer ensures a smoother operation, higher yield, and consistent results across all production stages.

In the pulp and paper industry, foam forms easily during processes such as washing, bleaching, and paper coating. Persistent foam traps air, affects drainage, and weakens the uniformity of the paper sheet. A well-formulated defoamer rapidly breaks surface bubbles, disperses entrained air, and stabilizes production efficiency without leaving oil spots or affecting brightness.

In the concrete and building materials industry, controlling air content is equally important. Excess foam during concrete mixing can reduce density, compromise strength, and create visible surface defects. High-performance defoamers help eliminate unwanted air, improve flow and compactness, and ensure a uniform, durable finish suitable for demanding construction environments.

Rickman defoamers deliver consistent, effective foam control for both pulp and paper processing and concrete applications. Designed for long-lasting stability and compatibility with various formulations, Rickman products improve efficiency while reducing maintenance costs. Beyond products, Rickman offers tailored technical support, on-site troubleshooting, and application-specific optimization to ensure every customer achieves optimal results.

Click on the related products links：RK-0036（High Antifoaming Defoamer Compound）/RK-5DS（High Antifoaming Performance Pulp Antifoam）

Foam formation is a common challenge in cement, mortar, concrete admixtures, and other construction chemicals. Mechanical mixing, surfactants in additives, and polymer-rich formulations often trap air, leading to persistent foam. In construction, this is more than a visual problem—excessive foam can weaken concrete strength, reduce bonding performance, and cause uneven surfaces or pinholes in coatings and sealants.

In cementitious systems and polymer-modified building materials, stable foam can reduce compressive strength and durability. It may also disrupt workability, making pumping and application inconsistent. To maintain smooth flow, proper compaction, and reliable surface finish, many manufacturers introduce high-performance defoamers into their formulas.

A well-designed construction defoamer helps release entrapped air quickly, improves density, and supports uniform curing. Silicone, mineral-oil, and polyether-based defoamers are commonly used depending on system pH, viscosity, and interaction with other additives. For construction materials like plaster, putty, waterproof coatings, and repair mortars, compatibility and long-term stability are essential. An effective defoamer ensures consistent texture, reduced defects, and improved performance throughout production and application.

Rickman defoamer solutions are designed for modern construction systems. Our defoamers offer balanced foam-breaking and foam-suppression functions without affecting material flow or mechanical strength. Rickman also delivers technical evaluation, formula guidance, and tailored recommendations to help partners optimize performance in real construction environments. From product selection to after-sales support, we work closely with customers to ensure consistent quality and efficiency in every batch.

Click on the related products links：RK-1210S（High efficiency Water Based Defoamer）/RK-600P（High Efficiency Cement Antifoam）