Leaf Shellac No. 465, orange
Shellac is the purified, processed resinous secretion of the tiny East Asian lac insect (formerly Laccifer Lacca, now Kerria Lacca).
Shellac is the only commercially used natural resin of animal origin.
- Colour: Indian orange, dark
- Wax content, max. 5.5 %
- Very fine
Solvent extraction process:
Since 1872, dewaxed leaf shellac has been produced using a solvent extraction process. Carefully selected grain shellac is dissolved in ethanol (distilled from sugar cane). Various filtration stages remove the shellac wax and impurities before the dye contained in the shellac is reduced to a greater or lesser extent by the action of activated carbon, depending on the colour tone.
After the alcohol has evaporated (and been recovered), the liquid shellac is drawn into a thin film on a rolling belt, which breaks as it cools, resulting in the typical leaf structure.
The solvent extraction process is a very gentle and environmentally friendly method of producing shellac.
Properties:
- UV-resistant
- Hard, amorphous resin with high internal elasticity
- Biodegradable
- Highly soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, propanol, isopropanol and n-butanol, but insoluble in acetone, esters and aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons
- Excellent film-forming properties
- Produces smooth, high-gloss surfaces
- Good electrical properties, such as high dielectric strength, low dielectric constant and good creep resistance
Uses:
- Polish for furniture
- Protective coating on metals
- Sealing wax
- Separating layer for castings, insulating layer for plaster moulds
- Insulation of wax (resin) fillings
Please note: Prices are subject to change at any time depending on market conditions and harvest.
All wax-free leaf shellac is foam-free.
