Information AboutTurpentine |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT TURPENTINE | |
| household chemicals | |
| hydrocarbon solvents | |
| painting materials | |
| resins | |
| terpenes and terpenoids | |
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Turpentine (also called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, wood turpentine, gum turpentine) is a fluid obtained by the Distillation of Resin obtained from trees, mainly Pine trees. It is composed of Terpene s, mainly the monoterpenes Alpha-pinene and Beta-pinene . It has a potent odor similar to that of nail polish remover. It is sometimes known colloquially as ''turps'', but this more often refers to Turpentine Substitute (or mineral turpentine). The word ''turpentine'' is formed (via French and Latin) from the Greek word ''terebinthine'', the name of a species of tree, the Terebinth tree, from whose sap the spirit was originally distilled.Barnhart R.K. ''The Barnhart Consise Dictionary of Etymology'' (New York: Harper Collins, 1995). PRODUCTION One of the earliest sources was the Terebinth or turpentine tree (''Pistacia terebinthus''), a Mediterranean tree related to the Pistachio . Important pines for turpentine production include:
INDUSTRIAL USES The two primary uses of turpentine in industry are as a Solvent and as a source of materials for Organic Synthesis . As a solvent, turpentine is used for thinning oil-based Paint s, for producing Varnish es, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Its industrial use as a solvent in industrialized nations has largely been replaced by the much cheaper Turpentine Substitute s distilled from Crude Oil . Canada Balsam , also called Canada turpentine or balsam of Fir , is a turpentine which is made from the Resin of the balsam fir. Venice turpentine is produced from the Western Larch ''Larix occidentalis''. Turpentine is also used as a source of raw materials in the synthesis of fragrant chemical compounds. Commercially used Camphor , Linalool , Alpha-terpineol , and Geraniol are all usually produced from alpha- Pinene and beta-pinene, which are two of the chief chemical components of turpentine. These pinenes are separated and purified by distillation. The mixture of Diterpene s and Triterpene s that is left as residue after turpentine distillation is sold as Rosin . Turpentine is also added to many cleaning and sanitary products due to its antiseptic properties and its "clean scent". MEDICINAL USES Turpentine has been used medically since ancient times.
HAZARDS Turpentine is an Organic solvent, and thus poses many of the same hazards as do other such substances. Being "natural" does not make it less harmful than artificial solvents. Its vapor can burn the skin and eyes, damage the Lungs and respiratory system, as well as the Central Nervous System when inhaled, and cause Renal Failure when ingested, among other things. It is highly flammable. REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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