Cashewnut shell liquid is a by-product of the cashew industry.

The nut has a shell of about 1/8 inch

thickness inside which is a soft honeycomb structure containing a dark reddish brown viscous liquid. It is
called the cashewnut shell liquid, which is the pericarp fluid of the cashewnut.

Cost Effective Modern Materials

In the search for the cost effective modern materials, CNSL and its products have a significant role to
play. Being renewable, it offers much advantage over synthetics. Its versatility stems from its innumerable
applications in many areas. Recent research has shown that the constituents of CNSL possess special
structural features for transformation into speciality chemicals and high value polymers. This involves a
value addition of many orders of magnitude and the chemical transformation provides 100% chemically
pure products. Thus, CNSL offers vast scope and opportunities for the production of speciality chemicals,
high value products and polymers.

Advantages of CNSL based Polymers

Improved Flexibility and reduced brittleness.
Solubility in Organic Solvents.
Improved Processability.
Low Fade Characteristics for Friction.
Resistance to 'Cold Wear'.
Good Electrical Resistance.
 Better Water Repellence.
Improved alkali and acid resistance.
Compatibility with other polymers.
Antimicrobial Property.
Termite and Insect Resistance.
Structural Features for Transformation into High Performance Polymers.

Polymerisation Characteristics of CNSL

CNSL can be polymerised by a variety of methods:
Addition Polymerisation through the side chain double bonds using cationic
initiators such as sulphuric acid, diethylsulphate etc..
Condensation Polymerisation through the phenolic ring with aldehydic
compounds.
Polymerisation after Chemical Modification to introduce speciality properties.
Oxidative Polymerisation.
Various Combinations of the above.

Industrial Significance of CNSL

Low Cost Phenol.
Versatility in Polymerisation and Chemical Modification.
Possibilities for Development of High Performance Polymers.
Property advantage over phenolics in certain applications such as impact
resistance, flexibility, faster heat dissipation etc.

Reactivity
CNSL undergoes all the conventional reactions of phenols. Cardanol differs from phenol only in the C15
side chain. It undergoes the well known formaldehyde condensation reaction of phenols that gives rise to
phenolic polymers. Moreover, it can be polymerised through the unsaturation in the side chain although
the bulky nature of the side chain restricts the molecular weight attainable to oligomers. One of the
significant advantage of the cardanol is its amenability to chemical modification to effect desirable
structural changes so as to get specific properties for making tailor-made polymers of high value. Thus,
structural changes could be effected at the hydroxyl group, on the aromatic ring and on the side chain.

Cardanol
Distillation of CNSLunder reduced pressure gives cardanol. The residue will be rich in cardanol and is
generally known as residol, which is conveniently used in the preparation of friction dust for brake linings,
and also in rubber compounding formulations. ( The process know-how for the production of cardanol and
conversion of residol into friction dust is available with RRL, Thiruvanathapuram).
 ISI Specification of the untreated CNSL IS : 840(1964)
Specific Gravity/30° C 0.950 - 0.970
Viscosity at 30° C cps, Max. 550.0
Moisture % by weight, Max. 1.0
Matter Insoluble in Toluene % by weight, Max. 1.08
Loss in Weight on heating, % by Weight, Max 2.0
Ash % by weight, Max. 1.0
Iodine Value, Min 1.0
1. Wij's method 250
2. Catalytic method 375
Polymerisation Time
a) Time in minutes, Max. 4
b) Viscosity at 30° C, cps, Min 30
c) Viscosity after acid washing at 30° C cps, Min 200
Color shall be not deeper than dark brown when viewed by transmitted light.

Specification for Treated Cashewnut Shell Liquid

The cashewnut shell liquid as extracted has a strong vesicant dermatatic action. Before this liquid is
utilized for preparation of resins, it requires treatment to get rid of metallic impurities as well as traces of
sulphur compounds. The liquid thus treated is known as " Treated Cashewnut Shell Liquid ".
The specification of treated cashewnut shell liquid is as follows:

Specific Gravity at 25° C / 24° C 0.955 - 0.975

Viscosity at 25° C ( max.) 800 cps
Lodine Value ( min. ) 240.00
Ash ( max ) 1%
Moisture ( max. ) 0.5%
Acid Value ( max. ) 14

Specification for Cold Pressure Cashewnut Shell Liquid

Cashewnut shell liquid is also produced by the 'Cold Pressed' method in solvent extraction plant. The
specification of the liquid is as follows:

Specific Gravity at 26° C 0.9668 - 1.0131

Refractive Index at 41.50° C 1.5158
Saponification number 106 - 119
Iodine number 270 - 296
Acid number 94 - 107
 EXPORT OF CASHEWNUT

SHELL LIQUID FROM INDIA DURING 2003-2004 TO 2005-2006

2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006

Countries Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value
(M.T) (Rs.Crs) (M.T) (Rs.Crs) (M.T) (Rs.Crs)
U.S.A 6600 6.45 6550 6.45 5834 5.97
Korea Rep 191 0.40 125 0.31 524 1.00
Japan 135 0.19 154 0.24 31 0.09
Zimbabwe 0 0.00 0 0.00 16 0.03
Indonesia 0 0.00 384 0.50 0 0.00
Spain 0 0.00 213 0.33 0 0.00
China 0 0.00 32 0.04 0 0.00
Mexico 0 0.00 16 0.03 0 0.00
Total 6926 7.03 7474 7.91 6405 7.09