Why Natural Gum Rosin is important in Batik Making ？ #damar #rosin #gum #松香
In batik waxing, paraffin wax is often blended with natural gum rosin (sometimes called “natural gum rosi” or “pine rosin”) to modify the properties of the wax for better performance during the waxing and dyeing process.
🌿 Purpose of Adding Natural Gum Rosin to Paraffin Wax
Property Effect of Adding Gum Rosin Why It Matters in Batik
Improves adhesion Rosin increases the stickiness (tackiness) of the wax mixture, helping it adhere better to the fabric fibers. Prevents the wax from cracking or flaking off too easily while applying or handling the cloth.
Raises melting point slightly Rosin makes the wax mixture a bit harder and less likely to melt too quickly. Ensures the wax resists melting during later dye baths or when working in warm conditions.
Enhances crack control Pure paraffin cracks too easily when it cools. Rosin reduces brittleness, giving more control over how cracks form. Allows batik artists to create finer, more controlled crack patterns or avoid unwanted ones.
Improves wax penetration The mixture penetrates fabric more evenly. Provides better coverage, reducing dye seepage through the waxed areas.
Adds gloss Rosin can give a slight gloss or transparency to the wax. Helps artists visually inspect waxed areas more easily.
🧪 Typical Mixing Ratio
A common starting point is:
• Paraffin wax : Gum rosin = 4 : 1 or 3 : 1 (by weight)
The ratio can be adjusted depending on how soft or hard you want the wax to be:
• More rosin → harder, stickier, glossier wax.
• More paraffin → softer, more crack-prone wax.
In short:
Adding natural gum rosin to paraffin wax makes the wax stick better, crack less randomly, and perform more reliably during batik work.
🕯️ 为什么在蜡染用的石蜡中加入天然松香（Natural Gum Rosin）
在蜡染（Batik）过程中，艺术家常常会把 石蜡（Paraffin Wax） 和 天然松香（Natural Gum Rosin） 混合使用。
这是因为单独使用石蜡会太脆、容易脱落或产生无法控制的裂纹，而加入松香后能改善这些问题。
🌿 加入松香的作用与好处
性质 加入天然松香后的变化 在蜡染中的好处
增加附着力 松香让蜡更“黏”，能更好地附着在布料纤维上。 防止蜡在操作过程中脱落或碎裂。
提高熔点 松香略微提高混合蜡的熔点，使其不易过早融化。 在较热环境或染色时，蜡不容易被融化。
改善裂纹控制 纯石蜡冷却后容易产生不规则裂纹，加入松香后蜡更有弹性。 可更好地控制“龟裂”效果或防止不想要的裂纹。
改善渗透性 蜡液更容易均匀地渗入布料。 提高防染效果，防止染料渗透到蜡封区域。
增加光泽 松香能让蜡层更透明、更有光泽。 便于观察涂蜡区域，也让布料表面更美观。
⚖️ 常见配比
一般的混合比例（按重量计算）为：
• 石蜡 : 松香 = 4 : 1 或 3 : 1
你可以根据需要调整：
• 增加松香 → 蜡更硬、更黏、更光亮。
• 增加石蜡 → 蜡更软、裂纹更多、更容易产生“龟裂”效果。
✳️ 总结
在石蜡中加入天然松香可以让蜡：
• 更牢固地附着在布上，
• 不易脱落或断裂，
• 能更好地控制裂纹效果，
• 在染色过程中表现更稳定。