We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Resin?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 321,544
Share

Resin is a natural or synthetic compound that begins in a highly viscous state and hardens with treatment. Typically, it is soluble in alcohol, but not in water. The compound is classified in a number of different ways, depending on its exact chemical composition and potential uses. It also has many applications, ranging from art to polymer production, and many consumers interact with products that contain it on a daily basis.

Natural resin comes from plants. A classic example is pine sap, which has the characteristic sharp odor of terpene compounds. As anyone who has interacted with pine sap knows, the substance is very viscous, but it hardens over time. A number of other plants produce resins, and they have been used by humans for thousands of years. Some plants exude a similar substance called gum or gum resin that does interact with water. Gum tends to be softer and more malleable.

Plant resin can be clear to dark brown in color, and it varies in opacity and hardness. Some is also extremely volatile, since it contains unstable compounds. Misidentification of resinous trees can sometimes lead to unfortunate accidents, since some contain heptanes, which are flammable and potentially explosive hydrocarbons. The popular decorative material amber is fossilized plant resin. It is most often found in a rich golden color, which is a common shade for plant resins, but amber can also be found in more rare colors, like blue.

Humans have been using natural resins for thousands of years. Pine pitch has been used to seal boats, mummies, food containers, and an assortment of other things. It has also been used as a component in varnish, lacquer, inks, perfumes, jewelry, and many other objects. With human technological advances came the realization that this material could be formulated into polymers, and the discovery of synthetic resins followed shortly after.

For the most part, polymers made with “resins” are actually made with synthetics, which are cheaper and easier to refine. Synthetic varieties are much more stable, predictable, and uniform than natural ones as well, since they are made under controlled conditions without the possibility of the introduction of impurities. They are made by combining chemicals in a laboratory to stimulate a reaction which results in the formulation of a resinous compound. Once formed, the substance can be used in the production of plastics, paints, and many of the same substances that natural resin is used in.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon354058 — On Nov 05, 2013

What is the difference between resin and resin felt?

By anon331162 — On Apr 21, 2013

Can a natural resin be made into glue?

By anon314386 — On Jan 17, 2013

What are some properties of resin? Is resin a compound/mixure/element?

By anon314385 — On Jan 17, 2013

What is the chemical formula?

By anon290026 — On Sep 07, 2012

How do I de-color synthetic amber or resins, or what is the method for coloring amber?

By anon280003 — On Jul 15, 2012

Is solid synthetic resin paintable? If so, what's the best type of paint to use? And can I glaze it afterward? If so, with what?

By anon259104 — On Apr 04, 2012

I would like to use resin for crochet purses to make them hold their shape and appear leather like. Is this possible?

By anon198814 — On Jul 21, 2011

is it expensive?

By anon164680 — On Apr 02, 2011

How many types of resins are there? How are they identified?

By anon161532 — On Mar 20, 2011

I want to make resin tabletops and put items in them. How do I do that, and what kind do I buy?

By anon158104 — On Mar 05, 2011

can you add resin to paint and what would be the effect in painting a wall?

By anon152122 — On Feb 12, 2011

are there any medicinal uses of resins?

By anon146958 — On Jan 27, 2011

what is the basic difference between polymer and resin?

By anon145128 — On Jan 22, 2011

is it possible to convert natural resin into an ion exchange resin? by any chance could you cite any process of doing so?

By anon127354 — On Nov 16, 2010

Is Hudyro carbon resin Escorez 1102 is more better or Coumerone Resin G-90 for Rubber V- Belt applications and why?

By anon122193 — On Oct 27, 2010

Is it possible to make resin is soluble in water? Did anyone try it before?

By anon119053 — On Oct 16, 2010

I'll answer all your resin questions. i work at a resin plant and all we manufacture is resin.

@no. 9: if you ingest or inhale resin you will not die, but may get sick.

@no. 3: No, resin is brittle and cannot be used as a glass for the simple fact it doesn't have a stable compound.

@no. 7: Yes, it's used in the paper industry when they make the paper. It looks like confetti but when mixed with molten resin and pressed it will bond the paper together.

@no. 14: Resins have different melting points. They can range from 99-160 mp.

@no.8: Resin does expire but it has a long shelf life and no, air will not affect it unless it is in liquid form but just heat it back to its melting point and it will be OK.

@no. 25: resins are also called rosins.

By anon109131 — On Sep 06, 2010

What is the another name for resin?

By anon96272 — On Jul 15, 2010

which kind of resin do we use for cad model. what does the resin piece contain?

By anon94021 — On Jul 06, 2010

i have not used resin before but I am getting into jewelry making and do not know what type to purchase? can you please give some advise.

By anon89740 — On Jun 12, 2010

I would like to know more about resin statues. how can they make statues? Are any other chemicals used for this?

By anon73231 — On Mar 26, 2010

What are some important medicinal functions of natural resin?

By anon64577 — On Feb 08, 2010

what is the composition of carmel resins?

By anon63504 — On Feb 02, 2010

please how can i start a medium scale industry in particle board manufacturing?

By anon61674 — On Jan 21, 2010

how was resin used?

By anon52598 — On Nov 15, 2009

why is synthetic resin cheaper?

By anon48840 — On Oct 15, 2009

What kind of resin is used for scale models to build figure/tank/ships? E.g.: products from verlinden production, which have resins like a smooth plastic surface and smell good .

By anon46142 — On Sep 23, 2009

what is the melting point of resin?

By anon42635 — On Aug 22, 2009

is resin safe for fruits and vegetables?

By anon42139 — On Aug 19, 2009

do you need a spray booth to spray resin?

we are a boat manufacturing company and

the fire dept id requires a spray room or

a spray booth.

By anon35940 — On Jul 08, 2009

i would like to know what kind of resin I need to mix with wood chips

By anon32975 — On May 30, 2009

i have some resin. what is best to mix it? i was told metholated spirits. so how many parts of metholated spirits to resin flakes?

By anon31812 — On May 12, 2009

will a person die if he/she ingests or inhales resin?

By anon30490 — On Apr 20, 2009

Usually we use resin for steam boiler water softener. It has been 5 years or more. Does the resin expire? ...and when resin is exposed to the air will that affect it?

By anon29589 — On Apr 04, 2009

Is this used in the paper industry? If so, for what?

By anon25737 — On Feb 02, 2009

How is resin cleaned?

By anon16965 — On Aug 19, 2008

which polymer can be used to make break pad ?

which polymer is used to manufacture break pad ?

By Idris — On May 14, 2008

Usually I use 6 part resin and 3 part water for uniform fiber bonding for my MDF. If I want use multiple kind of wood that not uniform fiber, can I reduce water part? How I can explain this in term polymer and reaction?

By anon7962 — On Feb 05, 2008

Can resin be made hard enough to make sheets of and thus be used as a structural material instead of something like maybe glass??

By anon5449 — On Nov 26, 2007

does resin can help seal pots from leaking?

if it is not properly mixed or applied can it affect it substantially? Considering we are making stonecast products by hand.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-resin.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.