Cardanol

A light pale yellow liquid manufactured from cashew nut shell liquid. It is also known as cashew phenol. The unique molecular structure of cardanol, especially unsaturation of long hydrocarbon side chain, makes the cross linking easy on polymerization. Besides the side chain imparting hydrophobic nature to the polymer, its coating is water repellent and weather resistant. Cardanol based resins posses an outstanding resistance to softening action of mineral oils and high resistance to acids & alkalies, antimicrobial property, termite and insect resistance etc. Contributes to improved flexibility, good drying after baking, high electric insulation properties and thermal stability. Amenability to chemical modification to effect desirable changes so as to get specific properties for making tailor-made polymers of high value, thus the structural changes could be effected at the hydroxyl group, on the aromatic ring and on the side chain. These properties make Cardanol an effective substitute for the petroleum-based phenol. Used in synthetic rubber and wax compounding.