Water-soluble, low smell and low VOC phenolic resin

Water solution of phenolic resin with <0.1% of free phenol and free formaldehyde. This resin can be dissolved in water, with quite low VOC and smell.
We expanded the lineup of grades with various performance features.

Case Study for Water-based Coatings

Phenolic resins contain a large number of OH groups which exhibit excellent adhesion properties. When added to coatings or surface treatment agents, they enhance the adhesion between the substrate and the coating after thermal curing, thereby contributing to improved corrosion resistance and heat resistance of the coating.

As an example, when monomer water-soluble phenolic resin AQNOA™ PR-56449 was added at 10% into various water-based paints and cured at 150°C for 20 minutes, the following properties were improved:

Corrosion resistance

After soaked in 20% salt water at 60°C for 12 hours, and rubbed 30 times with a cloth soaked in acetone.

Heat resistance

After heat treatment for 4 days in 220°C hot air oven, and rubbed 30 times with a cloth soaked in acetone.

[ Measurement conditions ]

• The above 3 water-based paints were formulated by adding 10% of AQNOA™PR-56449.
• Coated by10–20 μm thickness using a bar coater on acid-washed steel plates degreased with acetone.
• Cured for 20 minutes in a hot air oven at 150°C.

Conventional water-soluble phenolic resins contain high levels of phenol and formaldehyde, which may cause the added coating products to be classified as hazardous substances. However, as for AQNOA™, the phenol and formaldehyde content is less than 0.1%. We line-up both anionic and cationic types, enabling stable dispersion in various paint formulations.