Natural resin: types, properties, applications

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

In the chemical industry and domestic use, various types of resin are often found. They are used for cosmetic purposes, in the repair of equipment, in pure form or in combination with other elements. So what is natural resin?

Resin and its composition

Resin is a substance produced by certain types of plants. This is a complex structure in its chemical composition, which hardens upon contact with air, and does not dissolve in water. But it melts well in chemical solvents.

In appearance, natural resin is a solid substance that has a different color. Depending on the tree, the resin can be either clear or dark brown to black. It is extracted from resinous tree species. Plants produce it when injured to protect a fracture or other injury resulting from mechanical damage.

In modern times, the methods of extracting resin have not changed. As in ancient times, it is collectedin forestry through special incisions. Ancient fossilized natural resins are mined during the development of found deposits.

Many resin compounds have a strong woody smell, as they are mainly composed of complex acids, alcohols, phenols and essential oils.

Ancient use of resin

From the lessons of history, we know that only the Egyptians found the best use for resins. We can still observe the results of their practical experiments in museums around the world. The natural odorous resin used by the ancient Egyptians was as important as incense. Resins were crushed and added to cosmetics, complex compositions of oils and natural ingredients were created on their basis. Smelly ingredients were necessarily used in the rituals of going to bed, water procedures.

Aromatic resins and incense were of particular importance for religious rites. In the temples, on the orders of Ramses II, a person was supposed to be on duty who made sure that incense was smoked around the clock.

Egyptian healers and chemists have achieved particular success in the use of resins in medicine. We are talking, of course, about mummification. The secrets of these procedures remained unsolved mysteries. A completely unique formula for mixing different types of odorous resins was used. At first, natural ingredients were used, but then they were found to be short-lived. When embalming bodies, they began to use a complex mixture of resins, ash and animal fat.

Uses

Fresh or fossilnatural resin is divided into several types depending on the scope of use: rosin, shellac, amber, copal. These resins are most often used in the chemical industry for the manufacture of varnishes and building paints. And they can also be used for the production of various types of glue, linoleum, sealing wax. Sometimes included in wax candles.

Natural resins, their properties and application extend to many areas of human life. They are used to make soap, added to the composition of some cosmetic preparations, patches. Due to the properties of transparency, the resin is mixed into compositions for the production of equipment or household items. In some cases, this ingredient is even added to chewing gum.

Types of resins

Characteristics and purpose of natural resins and their types has a clear classification. There are several popular types:

• Akaroid. This resin is extracted from Australian trees. It has a yellow or red color and is mainly used in the production of paint and varnish chemical products.
• Dammara. This type of natural resin is extracted from the dammara tree, which grows on the islands of Java, Borneo and Sumatra. It is used for the production of transparent varnishes of increased durability. Has an unpleasant pungent odor.
• Another popular resin is rosin. This resin is very brittle in its characteristics. It becomes solid after volatile essential substances are removed from it. Rosin is widely used in the production of varnishes and paints,but, as a rule, not in its pure form, but as part of other elements.
• Copals are the next type of natural resin. They are mined mainly in African countries: Mozambique, Zanzibar, Angola. Copals have high hardness, good resistance to high temperatures and chemically aggressive elements.
• Shellac. Perhaps the only natural resin produced by insects that parasitize trees. Such resin can be dark, light and even transparent. Insoluble in oils, other fats and gasoline. An interesting fact concerns the extraction of resin. Before removing it from the tree, it is treated with hot water.

These are the properties of natural resins.

Amber

It is impossible to ignore the natural fossil stone - amber. In modern society, this beauty has long acquired a status. We have known since school days that amber is a semi-precious stone made from natural resin hardened millions of years ago. He found his application mainly in jewelry and haberdashery, in the production of costume jewelry. In small quantities, amber is used in pharmaceuticals, perfumery and cosmetology.

Natural amber is quite easy to identify from a fake by several criteria. When buying, be sure to pay attention to the purity, brightness of the stone, as well as the presence of frozen air bubbles. Their presence suggests that this is not amber at all, but a crude fake.

Copal - imitation of amber

We all love and admire beautytrue amber. But those who do not understand well or do not understand gemology at all can make significant mistakes when buying, confusing natural amber with copal. And this is not surprising, because they are very similar.

Copal is a fossilized natural resin resembling amber, very hard, able to withstand high pressure and temperature. It is produced by trees of the legume family and is mined mainly in Mexico. Mexicans still use this resin as an incense in various ceremonies. However, copal itself usually does not have a pronounced taste and smell.

It was mainly used for the production of varnish, but with the development of the chemical industry, it almost lost its purpose.

Production of glue from improvised means

Natural resin glue is quite rare nowadays. However, if a situation arose when you need to make this substance from improvised materials, then you can’t do without coniferous trees.

For the production of glue, you need the resin of coniferous trees. And you will also need ordinary wood ash. The resin of each type of tree has its own consistency, so it is important to determine and find for yourself exactly the one that will help you solve the problem.

Next, all the ingredients must be crushed. Melt the resin to a liquid consistency, add crushed ash and dry leaves to it. Mix everything thoroughly, boil. Slightly cooled mass can be divided into several parts and used as needed.

Industrialglue production

The most common industrial adhesive is the good old PVA. It is made from synthetic resins and is used in furniture production, in construction, and in the manufacture of musical instruments. The glue holds its shape well. However, it has a significant drawback. After use, an elastic film of polymer may form at the junction of parts. In this regard, it is highly recommended not to apply pressure on the glued parts.

PVA has a viscous texture, which allows you to apply it in the required amount carefully with a brush, even on small details. Adhesives are acidic, so care must be taken when using them in iron joints as they may leave traces.

For decorative, facing works, for gluing foam rubber, thick paper or even iron, other types of glue are used - dispersion. The structure allows them to be used for cold and hot gluing. However, it must be taken into account that the glue must be applied with a second layer when the first one dries slightly.

Synthetic resins

The structure of synthetic and natural resins, their characteristics and applications are different. And require separate consideration.

Synthetic resins and their derivatives are widely used in modern industry for the production of insulating materials. Depending on the initial raw material, its technical characteristics and production methods, resins are produced in the form of binders, granular and liquid formulations. In this regard, they are conditionally divided into subspecies: for the manufacturematerials that are already used in finished form and for the preparation of chemical compositions that will be used in the future.

Synthetic resin processing technology

In the production of any materials, the main attention is paid to the characteristics of the source material, and specialists start from this. Synthetic resins are classified into thermoset and thermoplastic resins.

Thermosetting resins harden under the action of various special compounds and irrevocably lose their original properties. If such substances are strongly heated, they decompose.

A completely different situation occurs with thermoplastic resins. If they are heated, they turn into a viscous fluid mass and, when cooled, restore their true properties. They have the ability to dissolve under the influence of special compounds, which are determined by the qualities of the resin itself. As the mixtures affecting it evaporate, they restore their original characteristics.

Use of synthetic resins

Synthetic resin compounds came into use about a century ago and immediately replaced natural resins. Thus, humanity decided to protect itself from unforeseen circumstances like resource depletion.

Today, synthetic resins have penetrated almost all spheres of life. They produce pipes for heating, hot and cold water, sewer manholes. They are widely used in construction. Materials derived fromsynthetic resins, have excellent characteristics: they are not subject to high and low temperatures, they are resistant to chemical influences. They are not afraid of any mechanical damage. In addition, synthetics get along well with water.

The most popular synthetic resin is vinyl. It is applied to various packages, bottles and cans, and ink is made from it. It dries well and does not fade over time.