Editing Bakelite (section)

===Compression molding===
[[File:RotorBakelite-2.jpg|thumb|upright|A combustion engine's spark [[distributor]] rotor made of Bakelite]]

Molded Bakelite forms in a condensation reaction of phenol and formaldehyde, with wood flour or asbestos fiber as a filler, under high pressure and heat in a time frame of a few minutes of [[Curing (chemistry)|curing]]. The result is a hard plastic material.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/podcast/CIIEcompounds/transcripts/bakelite.asp|title=Chemistry in its element – bakelite|website=Royal Society of Chemistry – RSC.org|last=Clegg|first=Brian|access-date=May 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504173337/http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/podcast/CIIEcompounds/transcripts/bakelite.asp|archive-date=May 4, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Asbestos was gradually abandoned as filler because many countries banned the production of asbestos.<ref name="fundermax.at"/>{{rp|9}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Molded Asbestos Plastic Products - Brands & Products |url=https://www.asbestos.com/products/plastics/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families |language=en}}</ref>

Bakelite's molding process had a number of advantages. Bakelite resin could be provided either as powder or as preformed partially cured slugs, increasing the speed of the casting. Thermosetting resins such as Bakelite required heat and pressure during the molding cycle but could be removed from the molding process without being cooled, again making the molding process faster. Also, because of the smooth polished surface that resulted, Bakelite objects required less finishing.<ref name=Metallography>{{cite book|last1=Vander Voort|first1=George F.|title=Metallography, Principles and Practice|date=1984|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=978-1615032365|pages=75–81|edition=1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GRQC8zYqtBIC&pg=PA75}}</ref> Millions of parts could be duplicated quickly and relatively cheaply.<ref name="Meikle"/>{{rp|42–43}}