Growing interest in the use of engineering grade phenolics for a variety of automotive engine components has been accompanied by concerns regarding the toughness of these materials. In a recent study, the toughness properties of several commerical phenolics and thermoplastics were compared. The data demonstrate that short fiber-reinforced phenolics are capable of substantially better performance than is generally appreciated. ft newly developed phenolic compound, which offers a 35% improvement in toughness over previously available phenolics, is also introduced.
