The discovery of Bakelite over the years
In 1907 AD, the Belgian-American scientist Leo Baekeland announced the invention of a new material that is resistant to heat and combustion and easy to form, phenol formaldehyde. In 1910, the material was manufactured commercially in America, and this material was given the trade name Baklite.
Production was limited to only five or four colors, all dark and opaque, including brown, black, green, and red, but in 1922 AD, when the company’s name was changed, the material became more common and widespread in the market, and this encouraged the world to develop this material.
In 1927, he announced the manufacture of Bakelite in many different colors and transparent materials, and gave it the new trade name, Catalin.
In Germany, Berlin and throughout Europe in 1939 Catalin spread widely.
The production of phenol formaldehyde took place in many factories and was produced in different colors, including transparent and dark. Some of them added solid dyes such as powder, liquid colors, or sawdust.
The reason why Bakelite appears streaky or transparent is the use of these additives.
Raw materials of this type are classified into:
- mastic
- Bakelite
- The two invoices
- Musky
Despite the different names, they have one name in common: Bakelite.
The most important properties of Bakelite
- This raw material is considered inert and does not oxidize, or it can be confirmed, but in a simple way, and the oxidation is of the same original basic type as the raw material, and the reason is that the catalyst for the reaction is neutral.
- It is resistant to heat and electricity and is solid, so it does not melt in heat.
- It can be transparent or dark in color in all shades and veins.
- Bakelite's original material is phenol formaldehyde.