Turpentine is used as a thinner for varnishes and paints.
The etymological origin of the term turpentine is not clearly known. Specialists believe that it could come from the Latin expression aqua rasis , which can be translated as "water from the fish."
It is important to mention that pitch is a resinous product generated from turpentine . When the pitch is mixed with oakum, it is used to caulk (cover the joints) of those buildings built with wood .
What is turpentine
Returning to the definition of turpentine, this is the name given to a turpentine oil that is characterized by its volatility. Turpentine, meanwhile, is a secretion from trees such as larch , spruce and pine .
Turpentine has a spicy taste, has an intense odor and has a sticky consistency. As for turpentine, it is an oil distilled from turpentine that is used as a solvent for varnishes and paints.
The chemical composition of turpentine depends on the species of tree that produced the turpentine. Generally, it is a combination of hydrocarbons of different kinds.
Turpentine is flammable and toxic. It cannot be mixed with water and, due to its characteristics, it must be handled with caution and treated as hazardous waste when discarded.
Brushes can be cleaned with turpentine.
Classification according to type
It is common to differentiate between vegetable turpentine and mineral turpentine . Classic turpentine is vegetable turpentine : it is produced from the resin of coniferous trees.
The so-called mineral turpentine , also known as white spirit , is a product derived from petroleum . It is usually a mixture of aromatic, alicyclic and aliphatic hydrocarbons in different percentages.
How to obtain turpentine
To obtain turpentine, first incisions are made in the trees to collect the turpentine. Then, the turpentine is dried and subjected to heat to separate its essence.
The next steps consist of developing distillations to generate pitch and turpentine. It should be noted that turpentine is also obtained, as a by-product, in the production of cellulose when conifers are used as raw material.
Its uses
The most frequent use of turpentine is as a thinner for varnishes and paints . This element makes it possible to reduce the viscosity of these substances.
Turpentine, on the other hand, acts as a stripper and is used to clean brushes , brushes and rollers . It is even used to clean grease stains.
Turpentine and health
Due to its toxicity, turpentine is potentially dangerous as it can cause various health problems. In contact with the skin, for example, it can cause atopic dermatitis with redness and itching.
If a person inhales its pungent odor for a long time, they may also experience breathing difficulties and cough as a result of respiratory tract irritation.
Ingesting turpentine, finally, generates everything from multiple pains in various parts of the body and burns to vomiting, fainting and convulsions. In the most extreme cases, neurological injuries may appear that cannot be reversed.