Thermal properties and degradation of Phenolic Resin/Zn composite films

Abstract-The composite films of Phenolic Resin/Zn were prepared. Zn was used as the foaming agent. The mixtures of 4 wt% curing agent hexamethylenetramine (HMTA) and 1-7 wt% Zn were added during the thermosetting phenolic resin curing process. Thus, the porous materials were produced. Meanwhile, the composite films of Phenolic Resin/Zn were obtained from porous material surface. The thermal properties were investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetric and Thermogravimetry, and the kinetic parameters of thermal degradation were calculated by Kissinger method. The results show that the heat resistances of Phenolic Resin/Zn composite films are obviously improved compared with pure phenolic resin. Moreover, the composite film containing 5 wt% Zn presents higher glass transition temperature (T_g), decomposition temperature (T_d) and activation energy compared with other compositions.