Dammar gum

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Dammar resin

Dammar, also called dammar gum, or damar gum, is a

triterpenoid resin, containing many triterpenes and their oxidation products. Many of them are low molecular weight compounds (dammarane, dammarenolic acid, oleanane, oleanonic acid, etc.), which easily oxidizes and photoxidizes.[1]

Types

Uses

  • Dammar varnish, made from dammar gum dissolved in turpentine, was introduced as a picture varnish in 1826;[2] commonly used in oil painting, both during the painting process and after the painting is finished.[3] Dammar varnish and similar gum varnishes auto-oxidize and yellow over a relatively short time regardless of storage method; this effect is more pronounced on paintings stored in darkness than with works on display in light due to the bleaching effects of sunlight on the colorants involved.[4]
  • Batik is made from dammar crystals dissolved in molten paraffin wax, to prevent the wax from cracking when it is drawn onto silk or rayon.[citation needed]
  • Encaustic Paints are made from dammar crystals in beeswax with pigment added. The dammar crystals serve as a hardening agent.[5]
  • As caulk for ships in the past, frequently with pitch or bitumen.[6]
  • As a common mounting material along with
    light microscopy.[7]
  • Used in Ayurvedic medicine for various conditions.[8]

Constituent compounds

Fresh dammar gum consists of a mixture of compounds; primarily hydroxydammarenone, dammarenolic acid, and oleanonic aldehyde.[4]

Material safety

Physical data

  • Appearance: white powder
  • Melting point: approx. 120 °C
  • Density: 1.04 to 1.12 g/ml
  • Refractive index: approx. 1.5
  • CAS number: 9000-16-2
  • EINECS: 232-528-4
  • Harmonised Tariff: 1301-90

Stability and toxicity

The gum is stable[citation needed], probably combustible and incompatible with strong oxidising agents. Its toxicity is low, but inhalation of dust may cause allergies.

See also

References

Further reading

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