Why is Bakelite so hard?

Molded Bakelite forms in a condensation reaction of phenol and formaldehyde, with wood flour or asbestos fiber as a filler, under high pressure and heat in a time frame of a few minutes of curing. The result is a hard plastic material.

What is structure of Bakelite?

Bakelite is a polymer made up of the monomers phenol and formaldehyde. This phenol-formaldehyde resin is a thermosetting polymer. We cannot deny the presence of polymers in our lives. We are surrounded by objects, most of which, some way or the other have a polymer associated with them.

Is Bakelite soft?

The short answer is that PVC is a thermo-plastic and Bakelite is a thermo-set. This make them relatively soft and flexible, and they will flow at elevated temperature (the meaning behind the thermo-plastic name).

What are the chemical properties of Bakelite?

Environmental impact, incineration and recycling

Does Bakelite get brittle?

Bakelite varnish is a brittle material, described as a completely irreversible thermosetting resin. It is yellow to dark brown, unevenly transparent, light-sensitive and it darkens over time.

How is Bakelite 12 prepared?

Phenol-Formaldehyde Polymers(Bakelite and related polymers):-they are obtained by condensation of phenol with formaldehyde in presence of either an acid or abase catalyst the initial product is Navolac which is points. Melamine Copolymer is widely used for making non breakable plastic crockery.

Why Bakelite is hard and brittle?

Bakelite is a thermo-set, which means that the spaghetti noodles are glued together at various points along their contour. In the case of Bakelite, the crosslink density is high, which is the reason for its hardness and rigidity.

Is Bakelite a good conductor of electricity?

Bakelite is a poor conductor of electricity. Bakelite can be softened by heating.

Is Bakelite fire resistant?

(c) Bakelite is used for making handles of frying pans. Frying pan handles are made with thermosetting plastics which are resistant to fire and can tolerate heat better than other plastics. For example, Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic which is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.

Why is Bakelite so expensive?

Rarity and desirability are some of the reasons Bakelite is so expensive. It’s also highly collectible. If you have a piece of Bakelite jewelry and are wondering how much it’s worth, it’s a good idea to compare it to recently sold items in a similar style.