Description
Gum
copal is a resin produced by the sap of the forest
tree (Daniellia sp.), due to common impurities and differences in
regions, gum copal ranges in colors from blacks to yellows to
whites. Gum copal is usually only 100-1,000 years old and it has
not yet fossilized. Gum copal is a semi-fossilized, amorphous resin
which has a unique set of properties such as resistance to water,
solubility in alcohols, and has the ability to give glossy
finishing along with possessing superior binding abilities.
Usage:
Gum copal has a very wide
variety of uses in both past and present times. Primarily used as
an incense by ancient civilizations, it also found usage as an
early form of glue, and traditional medicine for cases such as
dysentery, stomach pains, dizziness and fright. Today it still
finds popular usage as an incense. In addition, it finds a niche as
being a varnish or waterproofing material (as when it is heated
with certain oils, it becomes nearly transparent). It also can be
used as ingredients for adhesives, perfumes, printing ink, paints
and films.
Qualities Grade
PWS- This is the highest
grade for gum copal, white in color and 99-100% purity, it is used
for making varnish specifically for wood surfaces. Its result is
very good luster and very good in resisting external scratches.
Plus it dries to a hard and shiny film.
DBB- This grade is pebble
sized and whitish yellow in color with about 90-95% purity.
This is an economy grade and ideal for production of low end
varnishes, its solubility is good. It can contain some black copal
but it is still perfectly and easily dissolved in alcohol solvent
mixtures. It is also the most common use for incense.
WS- The lowest grade for gum
copal with larger chunks and black in color with about 60% purity,
the impurities include treebark and soil.
Powder- The is the leftovers
from the processing of PWS and DBB, usually used for
varnish.