Bakelite Structure Properties Application - Overview, History, Properties & Uses, FAQs

What is Bakelite?

Bakelite is a polymer of phenol and formaldehyde. The phenol-formaldehyde resin is a thermosetting polymer. Bakelite is a commercial name for Polymers that is derived from the polymerization of phenol and formaldehyde. These are the oldest polymers ever assembled by man. Phenol is made to react with formaldehyde. Bakelite is obtained from phenol by reacting with formaldehyde.

Various Desirable Properties of Bakelite

1. It is because of the many important areas of the first synthetic plastic, Bakelite has rightly been dubbed 'a thousand-use material'. We see that many items such as plastic handle handles, phones, banks, car parts, etc, are made with Bakelite. A study of the Bakelite architecture will give us a broader perspective on why different systems are used.

2. Bakelite is also the trade name given for phenol formaldehyde resin.

3. Bakelite is brown or amber in color but can be made in a variety of bright colors.

4.It melts and forms when burned and then becomes permanently hard and difficult to cool. Therefore, it is heat-resistant plastic.

5. It can be easily formed and that is why it is used to make various products.

6. Demonstrates high resistance to heat, electricity, and chemical reactions. That is why they are used to make many electrical gadgets, switches, and parts for cars.

7. Bakelite's dielectric conductivity falls from 4.4 to 5.4.

8. Fillers are usually used to increase the strength of Bakelite and it improves Bakelite properties for various types of applications. Asbestos, wood flour, herd of cotton, cotton wool, gypsum, mica, etc. The following are a few of the features that are enhanced with the addition of completeness

• Improved toughness and strength
• Better cohesion
• Extreme heat, electrical, and chemical resistance
• Change color

13. The addition of inert filler also reduces molding costs. As well as filling, Catalysts are used to speed up the treatment process (a process that leads to the strengthening and solidification of polymers by forming connected polymer chains).

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Structure of Bakelite

Bakelite has a cross-linked structure with the monomer unit of phenol and formaldehyde. The chemical formula of bakelite is (C₆H₆O-CH₂OH)_n

It is a thermosetting polymer i.e. it is hard, infusible, and chemical resistant.

Bakelite's structure consists of a network of interconnected phenolic and formaldehyde molecules. It is formed through a process called polymerization, where monomer molecules bond to create a large three-dimensional network. The main repeating unit in Bakelite is formed from phenolic groups linked by methylene bridges (-CH2-), resulting in a tightly cross-linked structure.

Uses of Bakelite

1. Bakelite has emerged as a major commercial success and its use has no limits. In light of the above-mentioned structures of Bakelite

2. To be a good protection, it is used in parts that do not use radios and other electrical equipment such as sockets, switches, hoods, wiring harnesses, brakes, etc.

3. The power of formation makes it part of the material used in modern life.

Bakelite is used to make various things like buttons, toys, washing machine impellers, clocks, kitchenware, etc.

4. Since Bakelite can be made in a variety of colors, Bakelite jewelry has been widely used. Colored bangles, earrings, and bracelets are widely used. Artificial jewellery made of metal or other alloys can sometimes lead to physical friction or irritation of the skin, but carefully crafted Bakelite jewellery is safe to wear in percentages which gives it an additional market opportunity.

5 Bakelite use may be reduced today compared to previous years, but it is still effective. There are many potential replacements for cheap Bakelite that have been scrapped for use in the market. Bakelite was founded in the early twentieth century but is an important subject of study in the 21st century as well. Bakelite features are studied for information on its commercial use. Bakelite's physical, chemical, electrical, and thermal properties make commercially available polymers widely used. It is always fun to study polymers and their chemicals as they offer many opportunities that can be incorporated into our daily lives. A proper understanding of the structure and properties of polymer-made materials such as Bakelite, therefore, is important for polymer chemistry.

Bakelite Repair

When phenol is taken in excess and the reaction area is converted to acid, the product of the condensation reaction is acidic. While, when the amount of formaldehyde taken is higher than that of phenol in the reactor component, and the reaction takes place in the base, the condensation product is known as Resol.

These intermediate products are used as resins in various industries. Bakelite is found when Novolac is allowed to enter the opposite connection in the presence of a linking agent. Typically, phenol is taken in excess action as a linking agent.

The methods of preparing bakelite included heating formaldehyde and phenol in the presence of one of either zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) or hydrochloric acid (HCl), or ammonia (NH₃).

Bakelite Formula:The chemical formula of bakelite can be labeled as (C₆H₆O-CH₂OH)_n.

Bakelite Meaning:It is a synthetic plastic which is a little brittle and is made up from phenols and formaldehyde and is typically dark brown,used for electric appliances.

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Some Solved Examples

Question 1: Monomer of Novolac is :

1) 3-Hydroxybutanoic acid

2) 1,3-Butadiene and styrene

3) phenol and melamine

4) (correct) o-Hydroxymethylphenol

Solution:

Novolac is obtained by polymerisation of Phenol and formaldehyde.

o- Hydroxymethylphenol is obtained due to electrophilic substitution of formaldehyde on Phenol .

Hence, the answer is option (4).

Question 2: The polymer formed on heating Novolac with formaldehyde is:

1) Polyester

2) (correct) Bakelite

3) Nylon 6,6

4) Melamine

Solution:

As we have learnt,

Novolac forms Bakelite upon heating with formaldehyde.

Novolac is a linear polymer that undergoes cross-linking with formaldehyde to form the thermosetting polymer, Bakelite

Hence, the answer is option (2).

Question 3: Preparation of Bakelite proceeds via reactions:

1) Electrophilic addition and dehydration

2) Condensation and elimination

3) Nucleophilic addition and dehydration

4) (correct) Electrophilic substitution and dehydration

Solution:

Preparation of Bakelit follows Electrophilic substitution and dehydration reaction:

Hence, the answer is option (4).

Question 4: Which of the following is a thermosetting polymer?

1) PVC

2) Nylon 6

3) Buna-N

4) (correct) Bakelite

Solution:

Thermosetting Polymers are highly cross-linked, hard, infusible, and insoluble polymers. They cannot be reused. E.g. Bakelite, Urea, Formaldehyde, Resin, etc. Bakelite is an example of a thermosetting polymer.

Hence, the answer is option (4).

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