Synthetic resin composition-method and product

A tough, fire-resistive resin exhibiting low flame spread, low heat release and low smoke evolution when exposed to direct flame or to radiant heat and being resistant to embrittlement and cracking upon curing, consisting essentially of the reaction product of:

• a. a partially cured resorcinol resin containing 8 to 35 parts by weight of resorcinol, 15 to 40 parts by weight of phenol, and 15 to 35 parts by weight of formalin, and
• b. paraformaldehyde and furfural in a total amount of 8 to 40%, based on the weight of the resorcinol resin and containing at least 2% paraformaldehyde, the amount of paraformaldehyde being not over 50% of the amount of furfural.

The method of making a fire-resistive resin exhibiting low flame spread, low heat release, and low smoke evolution under high temperature conditions and being resistant to cracking and embrittlement upon curing, which comprises preparing an admixture of a resorcinol component and furfuryl alcohol, then adding paraformaldehyde to said admixture and thoroughly blending, and allowing to cure, said furfuryl alcohol and said paraformaldehyde being present in an amount of from 10 to 40% and containing at least 2% paraformaldehyde, based on the weight of said resorcinol component, said paraformaldehyde being present in an amount of up to 50% of the amount of said alcohol.

The method of making a fire-resistive resin exhibiting low flame spread, low heat release and low smoke evolution and being resistant to embrittlement and cracking upon curing, which comprises preparing an admixture of paraformaldehyde and furfural, comminuting to disperse said paraformaldehyde in said furfural, introducing a resorcinol component into said admixture and thoroughly blending, and allowing the mass so obtained to cure, said furfural and said paraformaldehyde being present in sufficient amounts to form such fire-resistive resin.

A fire-resistant molded body comprising a reaction product of a resorcinol component chosen from the group consisting of resorcinol, a mixture of resorcinal and phenol, and a partially cured resin of resorcinol, phenol, and formaldehyde, and paraformaldehyde plus at least one substance chosen from the group consisting of furfural and furfuryl alcohol, and including fiberglass, said paraformaldehyde and said substance being added in sufficient amounts to provide a tough, flexible resin of low flame spread and smoke evolution when compared with red oak wood and having satisfactory resistance to cracking and embrittlement.