shellac
Sign in to saveright|thumb|upright=1.4|Some of the many different colors of shellac thumb|right|Shellac in alcohol
Article
14 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Production
- Colours and availability
- Properties
- History
- Uses
- Historical
- Current uses
- Wood finish
- Other
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- External links
right|thumb|upright=1.4|Some of the many different colors of shellac thumb|right|Shellac in alcohol
Shellac () is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. Chemically, it is mainly composed of aleuritic acid, jalaric acid, shellolic acid, and other natural waxes. It is processed and sold as dry flakes and dissolved in alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish. Shellac functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odor-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. Shellac was once used in electrical applications as it is a good insulator and seals out moisture. Phonograph and 78 rpm gramophone records were made of shellac until it was replaced by vinyl.