电木的化学名称叫酚醛塑料，是塑料中第一个投入工业生产的品种。它具有较高的机械强度、良好的绝缘性，耐热、耐腐蚀，因此常用于制造电器材料，如开关、灯头、耳机、电话机壳、仪表壳等，“电木”由此而得名。它的问世，对工业发展具有重要的意义。但电木耐酸不耐碱，耐酸10年之久,如遇碱性物质则不能有它的优势。
The chemical name of bakelite is phenolic plastic, which is the first variety of plastic to be put into industrial production. It has high mechanical strength, good insulation, heat resistance and corrosion resistance, so it is commonly used in the manufacture of electrical materials, such as switches, lamp caps, headphones, telephone casings, instrument housings, etc., "bakelite" is named after this. Its appearance is of great significance to industrial development. However, bakelite is acid and alkali resistant, and acid resistant for 10 years. If it encounters alkaline substances, it cannot have its advantages.