Abstract: A molding material useful in the fabrication of an electrical or electronic part comprises a modified phenolic resin (A), an epoxy resin (B) and a curing agent (C), said modified phenolic resin prepared by heating heavy oil or pitch and a formaldehyde in a molar ratio of formaldehyde: (oil or pitch) of from 1-15:1 in the presence of an acid catalyst, adding phenol in a molar ratio of phenol: (oil or pitch) of from 0.5-5:1 to form a modified phenolic resin, and purifying by performing in optional sequence (i) a treatment with an aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon and (ii) an extraction with an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent wherein the catalyst has a solubility of 0.1 or less to remove the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing a modified phenolic resin comprises heating (a) petroleum heavy oil or pitch and (b) a formaldehyde polymer in a molar ratio of formaldehyde:oil or pitch of from 1 to 15:1 in the presence of an acid catalyst, adding phenol in a molar ratio of phenol:oil or pitch of from 0.5 to 5:1 to form a crude modified phenolic resin, and purifying by performing in optional sequence (i) a treatment with an aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon to remove unreacted components and (ii) an extraction with a solvent wherein the catalyst has a solubility of 0.1 or less to remove the catalyst.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium comprises (1) a base, (2) at least one recording film provided on the base, being capable of bringing about a change in light tranmittance upon being exposed to an optical and/or thermal energy of an incident laser beam, and (3) a reflective film provided on the recording film. The optical information recording medium can exhibit a high contrast and is interexchangeable with CD and LV.