Rosin
Rosin is named after the former Ionian city of Rosin, which today would be located in Turkey. In ancient times there was produced particularly good rosin, which was used for medicinal and magical incense (source : Petzkolophonium).
Rosin resins come in different origins and qualities. In 2018, Indonesia with 84 t tons, Brazil with 83 t tons and China with 47 t tons were the largest exporters of rosin and resin acids. The EU was the world's largest importer in 2018 with 83 t tons, followed by China with nearly 70 t tons and India with about 42 t tons. (Source : UN Data Trade of goods, HS 1992, 38 Misc. chem. prod.)
Rosin is mainly obtained by "scoring" conifers (coniferous trees), of which there are more than 110 species. However, it is mainly the common pine that is used as a source of resin. The balsam that then drips out of the trees is collected manually and the turpentine oil it contains is evaporated. (see : Wikipedia)
Rosin has traditionally always been used as an adhesive and filler. Nowadays, it is mainly used as a binder and siccative ("drying accelerator") in paints and varnishes, and as a tackifier ("adhesion enhancer") in adhesives. The production of alkyd resins is another major use. The electronics industry also uses it as a flux for soft soldering. The best-known use is probably as a coating material for the horsehair of bows of stringed instruments. Here, however, not pure rosin is used, but there are still various additives in it.
The color of rosin can range from very light yellow to yellow to very dark orange. The hardness is also very different. The more thoroughly the volatile components of the resin are removed during distillation of the turpentine oils, the harder the rosin becomes.
It is odorless in the solid state or has a faint turpentine-like odor. Rosin dissolves in alcohols, acetone, chloroform, carbon disulfide, and turpentine oil.
Rosin is a natural substance. Many natural products, including this one, are contact allergens. Inhalation of rosin dusts, e.g. when sanding old paints, and skin contact , e.g. when painting or gluing, should therefore be avoided at all costs.
Depending on the region and tree species, the producing conifers supply rosin with slightly different compositions. For example, the proportion of abietic acid and pimaric acid - the main components of rosin - is different.
This different composition also causes slightly different chemical behavior and the different properties such as "tack".
We can help you find the right rosin for your application, whether it is for coatings, adhesives, printing inks or other special applications such as solder pastes, wood oils, natural paints or sealing waxes. Modified balsamic resins are also available. If a light color is needed, Robert Kraemer offers light rosin up to a color number (Gardner) <2. Especially for flooring adhesives or other applications where crystallization stability is required, rosin resins are available that give a stable solution that does not tend to crystallize. These resins are also referred to as NC (non crystallizing) rosins. Furthermore, hydrogenated and disproportionated resins are in our product range.
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