Product Name: Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Resin
Chemical Family: Phenolic resin
SYNONYMS: RF Resin, Resorcinol-Paraformaldehyde
CAS Number: Mixture (Component CAS: Resorcinol 108-46-3; Formaldehyde 50-00-0)
Recommended Uses: Adhesive, binding agent, composite material manufacturing, wood laminates
Manufacturer/Supplier: Contact supplier for full details
Emergency Contact: Refer to local emergency services or Poison Control Center for immediate health information
GHS Classification: Skin Irritant (Category 2), Eye Irritant (Category 2A), Sensitizer (Category 1), Carcinogenicity (Formaldehyde, Category 1B)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation, may cause allergic skin reaction, may cause cancer, may cause respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Health hazard, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, vapors, or fumes; use personal protection equipment; wash hands thoroughly after handling; contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
Other Hazards: May form combustible dust concentrations in air; toxic fumes may be evolved during fire
Resorcinol: 40-60%, CAS 108-46-3
Formaldehyde: 5-15%, CAS 50-00-0
Polymerized Matrix: 30-55%
Additives: Trace amounts (less than 1%) of sodium carbonate, water, and proprietary binding agents may be present
Impurities and Stabilizing Additives: None known beyond ingredients listed
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, seek medical attention if symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath continue.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse exposed skin with plenty of water; consult a doctor for irritation, allergic reaction, or burns.
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open; medical attention required for persistent pain or irritation.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek medical care for nausea, dizziness, irritation.
Important Symptoms: Skin redness, allergy-like reactions, eye pain, respiratory discomfort, nausea if swallowed in large amounts.
Advice for Medical Responders: Treat symptomatically, monitor for hypersensitivity and respiratory distress.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry powder, foam, water spray.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High-pressure water streams may cause product to splatter.
Hazards from Combustion: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating phenolic and formaldehyde vapors.
Firefighter Precautions: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear, and use measures to prevent run-off into drains and waterways.
Special Firefighting Procedures: If safe, remove containers from fire area; use upwind firefighting positions.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel from area, avoid inhalation and skin contact, wear protective gloves, goggles, and an appropriate respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into water bodies, sewers, or soil to avoid contamination.
Containment Methods: Dike spilled material with non-combustible absorbents such as sand or earth.
Cleanup Procedures: Collect with non-sparking tools, place in clearly labeled containers for proper disposal, clean residue with water, ventilate area.
Decontamination: Wash all contacted surfaces and equipment thoroughly.
Handling Practices: Wear protective clothing and eyewear, avoid direct contact and breathing of vapors, use local exhaust ventilation, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area.
Safe Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, open flames, oxidizers, acids, and food-related items. Separate incompatible substances and prevent direct sunlight exposure.
Container Requirements: Use containers that are resistant to phenolic and aldehyde compounds.
Incompatible Materials: Acids, strong oxidizers, reducing agents, ammonium salts.
Other Storage Information: Label all containers clearly, rotate inventory to keep stock fresh.
Occupational Exposure Limits: Resorcinol (OSHA PEL: 10 ppm; ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm), Formaldehyde (OSHA PEL: 0.75 ppm; ACGIH TLV: 0.3 ppm ceiling)
Engineering Controls: Use mechanical ventilation or fume hoods to reduce dust and vapor concentrations below permissible limits, especially in closed processes.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Nitrile gloves, chemical splash goggles, laboratory coat or coveralls, approved respirators for formaldehyde vapors.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and forearms after handling, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse, prohibit eating and drinking in work areas.
Other Protective Measures: Emergency eyewash stations and showers should be accessible.
Appearance: Dark red to brown solid or syrupy liquid, may have slight formaldehyde or phenolic odor.
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5–7) in solution
Boiling Point: >100°C (water component); decomposition occurs before boiling
Melting Point: >70°C (depending on water content)
Flash Point: >120°C (closed cup, varies by composition)
Solubility: Partially soluble in water, soluble in alcohols
Density: 1.15–1.25 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Odor Threshold: >1 ppm for formaldehyde component
Viscosity: Syrupy liquid forms, high viscosity
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Evaporation Rate: Low (compared to butyl acetate)
Explosive Properties: No known risk under normal use
Oxidizing Properties: Non-oxidizing
Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions; prolonged heating may cause depolymerization or evolution of toxic vapors.
Reactive Conditions: Exposure to acidic or basic conditions may trigger decomposition; heating may release formaldehyde.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids and bases, oxidizing agents, certain metal salts.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phenolic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde vapor, irritating smoke.
Polymerization: Uncontrolled polymerization unlikely under standard handling; heat may accelerate reaction.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) for resorcinol: 301 mg/kg; formaldehyde: 100 mg/kg; product may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain on ingestion.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Resorcinol and formaldehyde present skin irritants, may cause burns and sensitization.
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Both primary components can cause rapid and serious eye injuries.
Respiratory Sensitization: Formaldehyde dust or vapor causes respiratory irritation and may trigger asthma or allergic response.
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde linked to nasal cancer and other malignancies in humans.
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity: Formaldehyde listed as Group 1 human carcinogen (IARC); resorcinol not classified as carcinogenic.
Other Information: Symptoms from exposure—headache, fatigue, dermatitis; repeated contact increases risk of allergy.
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Resorcinol is toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects; formaldehyde highly toxic to fish and invertebrates.
Mobility in Soil: Moderately mobile in soil, possible leaching into groundwater; potential for bioaccumulation low.
Persistence and Degradability: Fairly rapid degradation in aerobic soils and water; minor persistence in sediment.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Both main ingredients show low potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic species.
Other Adverse Effects: Spills can impact local microbiota and disrupt wastewater treatment biological processes.
Disposal Methods: Send material for chemical incineration at licensed facilities; avoid land spreading, open burning, or release into surface water.
Waste Classification: Consider hazardous waste due to toxicity and carcinogenicity of ingredients.
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers, then dispose of or recycle in accordance with local, national, and federal regulations.
Transport in Bulk: Follow applicable guidelines for hazardous materials, avoid mixing with incompatible waste streams.
Special Precautions: Label all waste clearly; employee proper training for anyone handling substance during disposal.
UN Number: UN2209 (Formaldehyde solution), may not apply to all formulations; classify based on dominant hazardous component.
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), 9 (Miscellaneous), as appropriate for formaldehyde content and product condition.
Packing Group: II or III, depending on concentration and physical state.
Transport Label Requirements: Corrosive substance, environment hazard; follow DOT, ADR, IMDG, ICAO/IATA regulations.
Special Transport Precautions: Protect from temperature extremes, keep separated from incompatible chemicals, secure against tipping or leaks during transit.
Other Information: Check for local restrictions on phenolic resins or formaldehyde content above specified limits.
OSHA: Regulated under 29 CFR 1910.1048 (Formaldehyde); includes requirements for labeling, exposure limits, and medical surveillance.
EPA: Subject to TSCA reporting; SARA 313 reportable ingredients, hazardous waste classification.
EU Regulations: CLP/REACH applies; product labeled with GHS symbols and statements per regulation.
Canada (WHMIS): Classified as D2A (very toxic), D2B (toxic); MSDS required under workplace regulations.
California Proposition 65: Formaldehyde listed as a chemical known to cause cancer.
Other Country Regulations: Review all local, national, regional controls for workplace exposure, use, and importing.
Product Restrictions: Limitations on use in consumer products, children's items, and residential adhesives in certain regions due to formaldehyde concerns.
