A review of industrial applications of resorcinol-formaldehyde: from cold-curing tire adhesives to anti-corrosion coatings and durable adhesives
Subject Areas :
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Keywords: Resorcinol-formaldehyde, adhesive, tire, anti-corrosion coating, aerogel,
Abstract :
Resorcinol-Formaldehyde (RF) Resin plays a pivotal role in various industries due to its high reactivity, ambient-temperature curing, and excellent adhesion. This review article examines recent advances in the industrial applications of RF. In the tire industry, the RFL adhesive system remains the standard, but non-toxic alternatives such as aminoresin-based resins have shown up to a 30.8% improvement in adhesion. In the wood industry, tannin-resorcinol-formaldehyde (TRF) adhesives exhibit suitable mechanical performance for structural applications in cross-laminated timber manufacturing. Epoxy/RF composite coatings increase corrosion resistance by more than two orders of magnitude compared to pure epoxy. Furthermore, mesoporous hollow RF nanospheres loaded with corrosion inhibitors provide smart protection. In the field of advanced materials, RF-derived aerogels and carbon aerogels, with specific surface areas of up to 3600 m²/g and thermal conductivities as low as 0.023 W/m·K, have found widespread applications in thermal insulation, hydrogen storage, and supercapacitors. Despite environmental challenges due to the toxicity of the raw materials, the compound annual growth rate of the RF market is projected to be around 4–7.5%, driven by demand in the automotive and construction sectors. This review demonstrates that despite competition from green alternatives, RF remains an important material due to its unique properties.
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