UNIQUE AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE PROPERTIES ARE EXHIBLITED BY A PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE CONDENSATION PRODUCT WHEN THE PRODUCT CONTAINS A TRIFLUOROMETHYL GROUP IN A POSITION META TO THE HYDROXYL GROUP IN EACH PHENYL RING IN THE PRODUCT. AMONG THE DESIRABLE PROPERTIES ARE FLAME RETARDANCE, IMPROVED WEATHERABILITY, RESISTANCE TO HYDROLYSIS BY ACIDS OR ALKALIS, AND RESISTANCE TO THERMAL DEGRADATION. THE CONDENSATION PRODUCT IS PREPARED INA BASE CATALYZED REACTION BY CONDENSING FORMALDEHYDE OR A FORMALDEHYDEYEILDING MATERIAL WITH A PHENOLIC COMPOUND CONTAINING A TRIFLUOROMETHYL GROUP IN A POSITION META TO THE HYDROXYL GROUP ON THE PHENYL RING. THE CURED CONDENSATION PRODUCT IS USEFUL AS A MATRIX FOR REINFORCING FIBERS IN THE MOLDING OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS.