Calcium lignosulfonate as eco-friendly additive for crosslinking fibrous composites with phenol-formaldehyde resin matrix

The possibility of application of calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) as an eco-friendly additive for crosslinking fibrous composites with phenol-formaldehyde resin matrix was investigated. CLS has been characterized in detail in terms of its physicochemical and dispersive-morphological properties. The compositions of phenol-formaldehyde resin with CLS or with bentonite modified with trimethyl-2-hydroxypropyl ammonium chloride were prepared. Such compositions were used to impregnate fiberglass meshes. Mechanical properties of the prepared samples were determined, and their morphology as well as surface properties were assessed. A pronounced effect of the type of applied filler on the mechanical properties was observed. The best results were obtained for fiberglass meshes impregnated using phenol-formaldehyde resin with 1 wt % modified bentonite and 1 wt % CLS.