Tung oil
Names | |
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IUPAC name
tung oil
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Other names
China wood oil; lumbang oil; tung oil; tungmeal; tungoel
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Identifiers | |
ChemSpider |
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ECHA InfoCard
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100.029.338 |
EC Number |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
Density | 0.937 g/ml at 25°C |
Refractive index (nD)
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1.52 (20°C) |
Hazards | |
Flash point | >110°C |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Tung oil or China wood oil is a
"Tung oil finish" is often used by paint and varnish manufacturers as a generic name for any wood-finishing product that contains the real tung oil or provides a finish that resembles the finish obtained with tung oil.[2]
History
The tung oil tree originates in southern China and was cultivated there for tung oil, but the date of cultivation remains unknown.[3] During the Song Dynasty, tung oil was used for waterproofing on ships.[4] The word "tung" is etymologically derived from the Chinese 桐 tóng.[5] The earliest references for Chinese use of tung oil are in the writings of Confucius around 500 to 400 BC.[6][7][8][9]
Composition
Alpha-eleostearic acid
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82.0% |
Linoleic acid | 8.5% |
Palmitic acid | 5.5% |
Oleic acid | 4.0% |
The primary constituent is a
Uses
Tung oil is a common traditional wood finish, used typically for two main properties: first, it is a naturally derived substance. Second, after it cures (5 to 30 days, depending on weather/temperature), the result is a very hard and easily repaired finish, so it is used on boat decks and now on floors. The oil is often diluted with hydrocarbon thinner so its viscosity is very low and enables the oil to penetrate the finest grain woods. This thinning vehicle evaporates in 15 to 20 minutes. When applied in many fine/thinner coats over wood, tung oil slowly cures to a matte/light satin look with slight golden tint. Tung oil resists water better than any other pure oil finish and does not darken noticeably with age. It is claimed to be less susceptible to mould than linseed oil.[11] It is considered safe to be used on sculptures made near waterways.[12]
Heating tung oil to about 500 °F (260 °C)[13] in an oxygen-free environment will substantially increase the viscosity and film-forming quality of the product. Most polymerized tung oils are sold mixed with mineral spirits to make them easier to work with.[citation needed] Limonene and D-limonene are less toxic alternatives for mineral spirits.[citation needed]
The
Application
The traditional technique for applying pure tung oil is to dilute the oil 1:1 with solvent, then apply a succession of very thin films with a soft, lint-free cloth such as tee-shirt cotton. Diluents range from traditional spirits of
Tung oil finishes that start with polymerized oils or tung oil preparations are best applied in the fat over lean principle: thinned pure oil is applied to deeply penetrate the surface, to fill pores. Straight oil is then applied moderately to adhere to the surface and provide a good base for the thick gloss layers. The polymerized oil is then applied thickly as a single layer, allowed to fully dry, buffed smooth with very fine sandpaper and 0000 steel wool. The surface is wiped clean with a moistened rag and allowed to dry. A final coat is applied fairly thickly (the oil will smooth itself into a glass-like coating) and allowed to dry for two to three days. Rags soaked with tung oil can spontaneously combust (burst into flame).[14]
References
- ^ Tung Oil, WoodworkDetails.com
- ISBN 978-0-520-04229-2.
- ^ Ebrey, Walthall, and Palais (2006), 133.
- ^ "Tung oil". Merriam Webster. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ISBN 978-1893997981.
- ^ Xia, Wenwen (2015). An Investigation of Chinese Historical Grey Bricks of Soochow, Jiangsu and the Effect of Tung Oil Treatment (Masters thesis). University of Pennsylvania.
- ^ "The History of Tung Oil". Sutherland Welles. Archived from the original on 2018-05-04. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
- ^ Deyo, Ray (April 1, 2017). "Finishing Tips and Tricks" (PDF). American Association of Woodturners.
- ^ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "Minor oil crops - Individual monographs". Retrieved 2007-10-15.
- ISBN 0875965660.
- ^ "RPG Enterprises boss Harsh Goenka urges people to save nature in recent tweet". Business Today. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
- ^ "Process for stabilizing and refining tung oil and product thereof". US Patent 2867639.
- ^ "Tung & Linseed Oils". Archived from the original on 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2015-05-25.