Building and Construction

For letter-press, offset and flexo inks, and wooden lacquers.

Rosin esters are reaction products of rosins and polyols such as glycerine and pentaerythritol. They are used essentially in general-purpose varnishes, nitrocellulose lacquers, and sealers, and as hardeners for alkyds. They are also used as tackifying agents for emulsion adhesives. Modification with maleic anhydride or fumaric acid improves their bodying rates, speed of drying and other properties. These resins are called maleic or fumaric resins. They are used to produce high-grade lacquers, overprint varnishes, printing inks and film-hardening components in alkyds. Further modification with phenolic resins vastly improves bodying rates and drying properties with resulting increases in water, alkali and chemical resistance. These resins are used in the manufacture of letterpress and offset inks.