Synthesis and characterization of Cardanol/Phenol Resin based Polyurethanes

The production of polyurethanes from cardanol, a renewable organic resource obtained as a by product of the cashew industry.  Cardanol based novolac type phenolic resins were synthesized by condensing cardanol phenol mixture with furfuraldehyde in different molar ratios in the presence of hydrochloric acid as catalyst. The novolac resins were treated with polyethylene glycol – 400 to produce polyols. The polyols were condensed with toluene -1,6 - diisocyanate in presence of dibutyl tin laurate to produce polyurethanes and characterized by thermal, mechanical, SEM and X-ray diffraction studies. These studies revealed the high performance character of the polyurethanes.