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ABSTRACT:The crosslinked spherical phenolic beads (PB) were prepared with phenol and formaldehyde in alkaline medium by suspension polymerization technique. Poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), and triethylamine (TEA) were used as stabilizer, crosslinking agent, and basic catalyst respectively. The resulting PB with higher yield (82.5%) and relatively uniform particle size range (0.2-1.8 mm) were formed at 95-97°C, 550 rpm for 4 h, by using varied amounts of PVA as a stabilizer. The particle size and its distribution could be adjusted by selecting a suitable polymerization medium, consisting of monomer added to water, and by varying their relative amounts, mechanical agitation and stabilizer concentration. The yield % of PB was also varied with the concentration of stabilizer, agitation rate, and monomer-to-water ratio. The effects of concentration of the stabilizer, agitation rates, and monomer-to-water ratio on PB formation and morphology are described.