Properties of elastomer-biological phenolic resin composites

The underlying principle of elastomer blended with biological phenolic resin (BPR) is to enhance the properties of composites formed. Mixtures of these materials involve special processing techniques that require a deep understanding of the manufacturability of the parts and the limitation of both polymers in the blending process. Different materials' compositions and balances produce dissimilar intermediate properties. Biological phenolic sourced from plants is usually extracted from complex bio-oil mixtures produced via thermochemical processes of pyrolysis or liquefaction on plants' biomass. The phenolic compounds are extracted by thermochemically treated biomass via the lignin phenyl-propanol depolymerization process. The extracted phenolic compounds and their derivatives are then mixed with/or without water and reacted with formaldehyde, forming permanently bonded macromolecules of BPR. Meanwhile, elastomers can be naturally and synthetically built divided into three distinct groups: diene, non-diene, and thermoplastic elastomers. For elastomer-BPR blends, they exhibit differential rheological behavior, successively demonstrating variance to the resulted composite. The elastomer-BPR composites mirror excellent heat resistance, substantial mechanical properties, and good physical constancy. The composite properties are mainly affected by the materials added into the system, ratios, and processing techniques. The current technological attainments aim to equilibrate both material compound properties without disregarding the coveted properties for myriad uses. Hence, this book chapter focused on the classifications of BPR and its elastomeric properties. The properties of elastomeric materials blended with BPR are highlighted, including their rheological characteristics, physical attributes, and mechanical performances. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.