Designation: D360 − 12

Standard Specification for

Shellac Varnishes1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D360; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 4. Color
1.1 This specification covers shellac varnish consisting of a 4.1 The color of shellac varnish shall be no darker than the
solution or “cut” of a specified type and grade of dry lac resin color of a standard varnish of the same nonvolatile matter
in specially denatured alcohol. Ninety-five percent (190 proof) content mutually agreed upon between the purchaser and the
ethyl alcohol, specially denatured according to Formula No. 1 seller.
of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms of the Treasury Dept., is
the solvent most commonly used. However, other specially NOTE 1—Attention is called to the fact that the purchaser and the seller
must agree upon one of the two methods for determining color appearing
denatured alcohols and proprietary solvents are also used for in Test Methods D29.
this purpose.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 5. Drying Time
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 5.1 Shellac varnish shall dry hard in 1 h. Shellac varnishes
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only having a body greater than that for a light body varnish shall be
and are not considered standard. thinned to the nonvolatile matter content of a light body
varnish. Special conditions for this test may be made by mutual
2. Referenced Documents agreement between the purchaser and the seller.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D29 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Lac Resins 6. Body and Cut
(Withdrawn 2005)3 6.1 The body and cut of the respective types and grades
D207 Specification for Dry Bleached Lac (Discontinued shall be based on the percent of nonvolatile matter and shall
2000) (Withdrawn 2001)3 conform to the following minimum requirements:
D237 Specification for Orange Shellac and Other Lacs Nonvolatile Matter, min,
(Withdrawn 2006)3 %
Bleached,
Orange, Regular
3. Types, Grades, and Bodies Grades and
A and B Refined
3.1 This specification covers two grades, A and B, of orange
shellac varnish and two grades, regular and refined, of bleached Very light body (3-lb (1.4-kg) cut) 28.5 28.0
lac varnish. Each type and grade may be furnished in very varnish
Light body (4-lb (1.8-kg) cut) varnish 35.0 34.5
light, light, medium, heavy, very heavy, or extra heavy body Medium body (4.5-lb (2.0-kg) cut) 37.5 37.0
varnish, as specified. varnish
Heavy body (5-lb (2.3-kg) cut) varnish 40.0 39.5
Very heavy body (6-lb (2.7-kg) cut) 44.0 43.5
varnish
1 Extra heavy body (8-lb (3.6-kg) cut) 51.0 50.5
This specification is under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Committee D01 on varnish
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsi-
bility of Subcommittee D01.33 on Polymers and Resins. NOTE 2—The term “cut” is defined as the number of pounds of dry lac
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012. Published November 2012. Originally resin (containing only that amount of moisture acceptable for proper
approved in 1933. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D360 – 89 (1996)ε1
cutting with the solvent to ensure a satisfactory varnish) that were added
which was withdrawn January 2010 and reinstated in November 2012. DOI:
to 1 gal (3.8 L) of specified solvent in manufacturing the varnish.
10.1520/D0360-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Allowance has, therefore, been made for 2 % maximum moisture and
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM other volatile matter and 3 % insoluble matter in orange shellac, and for
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 6 % moisture and other volatile matter in bleached lac, in arriving at a
the ASTM website. minimum value. Varnishes of the above specified bodies or “cuts” should
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on accordingly conform to the respective minimum requirements specified
www.astm.org. for nonvolatile matter.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D360 − 12
7. Properties of Dry Lac shall show the type, grade, body or cut, and date of manufac-
ture of the varnish contained therein.
7.1 The nonvolatile matter in the varnish shall conform to
the Properties section of Specification D207 and Table 1 of 9. Test Methods
Specification D237.
9.1 The sampling and methods of testing shall be conducted
in accordance with Test Methods D29.
8. Package Marking
8.1 Shellac varnish shall be packaged in standard commer- 10. Keywords
cial containers of the type and size mutually agreed upon 10.1 denatured alcohol; dry lac resin; orange shellac; shellac
between the purchaser and the seller. The label of the container varnish

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