Novel applications of cashew nut shell liquid in the polymer field

Abstract

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) occurs in the soft honeycomb of the shell of newlinethe cashew nut. It is a byproduct of the cashew nut processing industry. CNSL newlinecontains mainly four components: cardanol, cardol. anacardic acid and 2-methyl newlinecardol. Components of CNSL are phenolic in nature. lt is a feasible natural newlinealternative to petrochemically derived phenol. The thesis consists of six chapters. First chapter consists of introduction and literature review. Synthesis of CNSL- hexa resin, characterization of the synthesised resin and the effect of P: F ratio and CNSL: P ratio of the resin on the properties of the synthesized resin are covered in the second chapter. Study of the adhesive properties of CNSL based resin in combination with neoprene newlinerubber is included in the third chapter. The effect of varying the stoichiometric newlineratio between total phenol and formaldehyde and CNSL: phenol ratio of the resin, newlineresin content, choice and extent of fillers and adhesion promoters in the adhesive newlineformulation is studied. The effect of incorporation of the resin on the ageing newlineproperties of various elastomers is outlined in the fourth chapter. CNSL as such newlineand resins with different phenol: formaldehyde ratios and CNSL: phenol ratios at different concentrations are incorporated into elastomers and the mechanical newlineproperties are determined. Effect of moulding conditions and stoichiometry of the newlineresin on the properties of particleboard made from CNSL- formaldehyde resin is newlinedescribed in the filth chapter. The major findings of the study are summarized in newlinethe last chapter. List of abbreviations and symbols are given at the end of the thesis newlineand references at the end of each chapter. Dr. Eby Thomas Thachil, Reader, Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, my supervising teacher was the main source of encouragement and support in the progression of this work.