---
title: "Phenolic resin: properties and use in the laboratory"
description: "Phenolic resin properties that matter in a laboratory: resistance to moisture, acids and alkalis. Which labs suit a countertop made of it, and how to order?"
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language: "en"
published: "2026-11-02"
last_updated: "2026-11-02"
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  pl: "https://www.renggli.pl/pl/blog/zywica-fenolowa-wlasciwosci.md"
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---

# Phenolic resin: properties and use in the laboratory

> Phenolic resin properties that matter in a laboratory: resistance to moisture, acids and alkalis. Which labs suit a countertop made of it, and how to order?

Published 2026-11-02 · Category: [Worktops, sinks and materials](https://www.renggli.pl/en/blog/category/worktops-sinks-and-materials) · Author: [Renggli Team](https://www.renggli.pl/en/blog/author/zespol-renggli) · 6 min read

Post tags: [Phenolic resin](https://www.renggli.pl/en/blog/tag/phenolic-resin), [Epoxy resin](https://www.renggli.pl/en/blog/tag/epoxy-resin)

Phenolic resin gains its useful properties only after curing: it is then resistant to water, moisture and high temperature, and has low flammability. In the laboratory you meet it in countertops: layers of resin-impregnated paper are hot-pressed into a hard board. Such [laboratory countertops](https://www.renggli.pl/en/offer/laboratory-countertops) serve in chemical, analytical, biological and teaching laboratories.

**Key points**

- Phenolic resin (PF) is made from phenol and formaldehyde, and once cured it does not soften when heated.
- A phenolic resin laboratory countertop is made of layers of paper with resin, pressed at high pressure and temperature.
- In the Renggli range, a phenolic resin countertop has a surface cured with an electron beam (EBC), good resistance to acids and alkalis, and very good resistance to moisture.
- For work with hydrofluoric acid (HF), Renggli proposes polypropylene, which is resistant to acids and alkalis including HF.

## What is phenolic resin and how is a countertop made from it? {#what-is-phenolic-resin-and-how-is-a-countertop-made-from-it}

Phenolic resin (phenol-formaldehyde, PF for short) is a synthetic polymer obtained by reacting phenol with formaldehyde. This is how the authors of a [study of paper laminates in the journal Materials](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10096454/) describe it. They also name the production of HPL laminates as an important use of phenolic resins.

A paper laminate is sheets of paper impregnated with a thermosetting resin, that is, one that does not soften when heated after curing. According to the [PN-EN 438-1:2016-03 standard card](https://sklep.pkn.pl/pn-en-438-1-2016-03e.html), HPL laminates are “sheets made of thermosetting resins (commonly called laminates)”.

A [phenolic resin countertop](https://www.renggli.pl/en/offer/laboratory-countertops/phenolic-resin) in the Renggli range is made of layers of paper impregnated with phenolic resin. The layers are pressed at high pressure and high temperature. Renggli cures the surface of the board on both sides with an electron beam (EBC, Electron Beam Curing).

## Phenolic resin properties that matter in the laboratory {#phenolic-resin-properties-that-matter-in-the-laboratory}

Once cured, phenolic resin withstands water and high temperature well and has low flammability. Phenolic resins are thermosetting polymers with low flammability, write the authors of a [paper on the heat resistance of phenolic resin](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11643413/). Paper laminates made with this resin are resistant to water, weather and high temperature, according to a [study of laminates in the journal Materials](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10096454/).

In an HPL board, a core of kraft paper impregnated with phenolic resin is cured in a hot press. The finished boards are resistant to moisture, chemicals and fire, according to a [publication in ACS Omega on HPL laminates](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12368696/).

For a phenolic resin laboratory countertop, the Renggli offer page lists:

- good mechanical resistance, including to impact;
- very good resistance to moisture;
- good chemical resistance to acids and alkalis;
- a smooth, non-porous surface that is easy to keep clean;
- dimensional stability.

Low flammability is a property of the material itself, described in the publications. For stations where you work with an open flame, Renggli proposes monolithic ceramic, which is resistant to fire.

## Which laboratories is phenolic resin suited to? {#which-laboratories-is-phenolic-resin-suited-to}

A phenolic resin countertop works well in chemical, biological, analytical and teaching laboratories. It is also used in research and industrial laboratories, where the countertop works with acids, alkalis and solvents. The countertop material should still be chosen for the reagents and temperatures of the particular station.

| Station | Renggli countertop | What the offer page says |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Work with acids and alkalis | phenolic resin | good chemical resistance to acids and alkalis |
| Concentrated acids and alkalis | monolithic ceramic | recommended for concentrated acids and alkalis, except HF |
| Wet station, a lot of water | phenolic resin | very good resistance to moisture |
| School laboratory | phenolic resin or laminate on chipboard | phenolic: impact resistance; laminate: many colours |
| Dyes and solvents | epoxy resin | high resistance to dyes and solvents |
| Hydrofluoric acid (HF) | polypropylene | resistant to acids and alkalis including HF |
| Work with an open flame | monolithic ceramic | resistant to fire |

## Phenolic, epoxy or laminate: how do the countertops differ? {#phenolic-epoxy-or-laminate-how-do-the-countertops-differ}

These three countertops differ in structure. A phenolic resin countertop is pressed layers of paper with resin. An epoxy resin countertop is monolithic (uniform through its whole thickness). A laminate countertop has a chipboard core, with HPL laminate only on the surface.

An [epoxy resin countertop](https://www.renggli.pl/en/offer/laboratory-countertops/an-epoxy-resin) has a uniform, smooth surface and high resistance to dyes, solvents and temperature. The offer page recommends a phenolic resin countertop where impact resistance and ease of installation matter.

A [laminate countertop](https://www.renggli.pl/en/offer/laboratory-countertops/laminate-postforming) on chipboard has rounded edges (postforming) and comes in many colours. It is used in school and analytical laboratories. A phenolic resin countertop is the choice where the surface is in long contact with moisture and chemicals.

## How do you clean a phenolic resin countertop? {#how-do-you-clean-a-phenolic-resin-countertop}

Wash a phenolic resin countertop after each work session with a soft cloth and a mild, neutral detergent. This is the advice of the [Renggli FAQ](https://www.renggli.pl/en/faq) in its answer on countertop care, which also recommends checking the condition of the surface once a year.

Thanks to the smooth, non-porous surface, phenolic resin countertops are easy to keep clean, which matters in environments that require high hygiene standards.

Do not wipe up spilled concentrated acid dry. First apply a neutraliser, then rinse the countertop with demineralised water.

## What to look at when ordering {#what-to-look-at-when-ordering}

We make phenolic resin countertops to size, with cut-outs for sinks and equipment, with a straight or raised edge. Furniture safety is verified by a standard, not by a manufacturer's declaration. The laboratory tables that carry the countertop are tested to EN 13150, and production repeatability to ISO 9001, as we write on the [Our company](https://www.renggli.pl/en/our-company) page. At the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology we made [stations with phenolic resin countertops](https://www.renggli.pl/en/realizacje/nencki-institute-of-experimental-biology) on steel frames.

Before you request a quote for a countertop:

- List the reagents at each station, with their concentrations.
- Mark the positions of sinks, utility connection points and equipment on the floor plan.
- Choose the edge: straight or raised.
- Point out the stations with hydrofluoric acid: for these we propose polypropylene.
- Point out the stations with an open flame: for these we propose monolithic ceramic.
- If the order also includes tables, put their compliance with EN 13150 in the description.

Example wording for the order description:

> Laboratory countertop made of phenolic resin cured on both sides with an electron beam (EBC), or equivalent, resistant to moisture, acids and alkalis, with a raised edge and cut-outs according to the drawing. Laboratory tables compliant with EN 13150 or equivalent.

## Frequently asked questions {#frequently-asked-questions}

**What is phenolic resin?**

Phenolic resin (phenol-formaldehyde, PF) is a synthetic material made by reacting phenol with formaldehyde. Once cured it does not soften when heated, and it is used, among other things, to make HPL laminates and laboratory countertops.

**Is a phenolic resin countertop resistant to acids?**

A phenolic resin countertop has good chemical resistance to acids and alkalis and works in chemical and analytical laboratories. For work with hydrofluoric acid, Renggli proposes a [polypropylene countertop](https://www.renggli.pl/en/offer/laboratory-countertops/polypropylene), which is resistant to acids and alkalis including HF.

**Is phenolic resin flammable?**

Phenolic resins have low flammability, as scientific publications on the material describe. For stations where you work with an open flame, Renggli proposes monolithic ceramic, which is resistant to fire.

**How does a phenolic resin countertop differ from a laminate countertop?**

A phenolic resin countertop is pressed layers of paper with phenolic resin, with a surface cured by an electron beam. A laminate countertop (postforming) is chipboard covered with HPL laminate, with rounded edges and in many colours.

**Choosing a countertop for your station's reagents** Send us your reagent list and the laboratory floor plan, and an adviser will choose the countertop material for each station. [Send your reagent list](https://www.renggli.pl/en/contact)

## Sources

- [Paper-Based Laminates Impregnated with a Hybrid Lignin-Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10096454/), MDPI
- [Wettability of Kraft Paper with Biobased Impregnation Resins for the Production of High-Pressure Laminates](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12368696/), American Chemical Society
- [The Effect of p-Toluenesulfonic Acid and Phosphoric Acid (V) Content on the Heat Resistance and Thermal Properties of Phenol Resin and Phenol-Carbon Composite](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11643413/), MDPI
- [Phenolic resin, CID 24754: GHS Classification](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/24754/JSON?heading=GHS+Classification), National Center for Biotechnology Information, PubChem
- [PN-EN 438-1:2016-03, karta normy w Katalogu Polskich Norm](https://sklep.pkn.pl/pn-en-438-1-2016-03e.html), Polski Komitet Normalizacyjny