| abstract |
A modified phenolic novolak resin is prepared by reacting a phenolic compound (e.g., resorcinol) with an aliphatic polyol. The reaction mixture further reacts with a formaldehyde to produce a modified phenolic novolak resin. The reaction is typically carried out in the presence of an acid or a base catalyst. The resulting resin is characterized by a relatively low level of free resorcinol; and rubber compounds containing the resin exhibit low fuming, lower Mooney viscosity (which means better processing), better dynamic stiffness properties (G′), and/or good tear properties. Therefore, the resulting resin can be used as a methylene acceptor compound in a vulcanizable rubber composition. |