Uses of Rosin

Rosin is used in the formulation of printing inks, varnishes, adhesives (glues), soap, paper sizing, soda, soldering fluxes, and sealing wax.

Rosin can serve as a glazing agent in medicines and chewing gum, identified by the E number E915. A related glycerol ester, E445, is used as an emulsifier in soft drinks. In the pharmaceutical industry, rosin is an ingredient in various plasters and ointments.

In industrial applications, rosin is the precursor to the flux used in soldering. Lead-tin solder, commonly used in electronics, contains approximately 1% rosin as a flux core. This helps the molten metal flow and improves the connection by reducing the refractory solid oxide layer on the surface back to metal. Rosin is often observed as the burnt or clear residue around freshly soldered joints.

A blend of pitch and rosin is utilized to create a polishing surface for glass, essential in the manufacture of optical components like lenses.

In building work, small amounts of rosin are added to traditional linseed oil/sand gap fillers.

When combined with waxes and oils, rosin is a key component of mystic smoke. This gum, when rubbed and quickly stretched, seems to produce puffs of smoke from the fingertips.

Rosin is widely employed in various fields due to its ability to increase friction:

  • Bowed string players apply cakes or blocks of rosin to their bow hair, enabling it to grip the strings and produce sound. Additional substances, like beeswax, gold, silver, tin, or meteoric iron, are sometimes mixed with the rosin to alter its friction properties and, reportedly, the tone it generates.
  • Powdered rosin is commonly applied to new bow hair using a felt pad or cloth, helping to quickly achieve adequate rosin coverage.
  • Violin rosin can be applied to the bridges of other musical instruments, like the banjo and banjolele, to prevent the bridge from shifting during vigorous playing.
  • Ballet and flamenco dancers occasionally apply powdered rosin to their shoes to reduce slippage before performing on stage. This practice was once common in fencing and is still used by boxers today.
  • Gymnasts use rosin to enhance their grip.
  • Applied to the starting line of drag racing courses, rosin is used to enhance traction.
  • Bull riders apply rosin to their ropes and gloves to enhance grip.
  • Baseball pitchers and ten-pin bowlers often keep a small bag of powdered rosin nearby, using it on their throwing hand to gain better control of the ball.

List of Rosin Uses

  • Hot-melt and pressure-sensitive adhesives.
  • mastics and sealants.
  • varnishes.
  • ester gum.
  • soldering compounds.
  • core oils.
  • insulating compounds.
  • soaps.
  • paper sizing.
  • printing inks.
  • violin Rosin.
  • synthetic resin.
  • rubber.
  • tackifiers and sealants.
  • coatings and lacquers.
  • healing salves.

Where to Buy Rosin?

Our rosin products are available for sale at www.ChemicalStore.com. For large orders please call in advance and verify the availability, wholesale discounts and shipping options. If you cannot find any product in the online store of your choice, please use the search option of the store or call (973) 405-6248 for further assistance.

All orders will be shipped from our warehouses in the United States (USA). We ship worldwide (Only wholesale quantities) to most countries including Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, and many other countries. International buyers must have experience in importing, be familiar with all import regulations, and have a valid tax id.