What is Pine Resin?
Colophony resin, also known as rosin or colophony, is a natural polymer substance produced by many species of pine. It is harvested primarily from ponderosa pine and maritime pine trees. Colophony resin forms in the pine tree as a protective barrier against fungal infection and insect damage. It is usually collected by scraping fresh tears or cuts in the bark.
Extraction and Composition
When harvested, colophony Pine Resin appears as soft lumps or hardened blocks that are pale yellow or amber in color. To extract it, the raw resin is melted by heating. This process separates out volatile terpenes while leaving behind non-volatile resin acids. The main components of purified colophony resin are resin acids (80-90%), mostly abietic acid. Other major constituents include oligomers and dimers. Rosin comes in three grades based on melting point - gum rosin,Tall oil rosin and distilled rosin. Gum rosin is the least processed form.
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