Enabling phenolic resin toughening and heat resistant: Tactics and recent advances

As one of the most important synthetic resins, phenolic resins are widely used in various scenarios of modern industry and contribute a huge economic value. To satisfy high-end and demanding application requirements, phenolic resin modification always stays the research focus in this field. This review involved two main characteristics of phenolic resins, toughness and heat resistance. Toughening modification primarily included internal toughening and external toughening tactics, while heat resistance enhancement strategies included various inorganic compounds modification, organic molecules modification, nanoparticle doping modification and ceramification modification.