Cardanol sometime known as Card Phenol is manufactured from Cashew Nut shell Liquid. It is Monohydroxy Benz with the C15H27 hydrocarbon chain substituted in the position and it is a light brown liquid.
Cardanol is main constituent of CNSL. It is a Monohydroxy Phenol having C15H27 hydrocarbon chain in Meta position. It has a molecular weight of 300.
The unique Molecular structure of Cardanol, specially unsaturation of long Hydrocarbon side chain to make the cross linking easy on Polymerization and contributes to improved flexibility, good drying after baking, high electric insulation properties and thermal stability.
Besides, the side chain imparts hydrophobic nature to the polymer, its coating are 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, terminate and Insect resistance etc.
On the basis of the above properties Cardanol excels the petroleum based Phenol and can be a suitable substitute for it.
