Phenolic resin compositions containing bis-(aminophenyl)-sulfones

A thermosetting composition comprises a condensation product of a phenol and an aldehyde heat-stabilized with a bis-(aminophenyl)-sulphone. The composition may contain 1 to 60% by weight of the bis-(aminophenyl)-sulphone which may have the formula where Y and Y1 are alkyl radicals, alkoxy radicals or halogen atoms and x and z are 1, 2, 3 or 4. The condensation product may be a novolac resin, in which case a methylene generating compound, e.g. hexamethylene-tetramine may be included, or a resole resin. The composition may contain a filler, e.g. asbestos, wollastonite, mica, silica, graphite, woodflour, cotton flock, polyamide fibres and polyester fibres, lubricants, e.g. carnauba wax, candellila wax, or zinc stearate, or a colourant, e.g. titanium dioxide. The composition may be thermoset by heating at 150 DEG to 200 DEG C. The composition may be dissolved in an inert solvent and used to laminate mineral fibre cloth. In examples bis-(4-amino-phenyl)-sulphone is added to a condensation product prepared from formaldehyde and phenol, the product is dissolved in ethyl alcohol, and the solution is used to laminate woven glass fibres.