Rosin Modified Maleic Resin

What is Rosin Modified Maleic Resin

The main components of rosin are resin acids, particularly abietic-type acids. When rosin reacts with maleic anhydride, additional functional groups with higher polarity are introduced into the rosin structure.

The purpose of this modification is to improve properties in which unmodified rosin has certain limitations including

• hardness;
• adhesion;
• film-forming properties;
• gloss;
• compatibility with solvents and other resins;
• pigment wetting and dispersion.

Rosin Modified Maleic Resin should not be understood simply as a physical mixture of rosin and maleic resin. In a properly manufactured product, maleic anhydride chemically reacts with the rosin structure.

Properties of Rosin Modified Maleic Resin

The actual properties depend on the maleic content, type of polyol used, degree of esterification, acid value and softening point. In general, the material has the following characteristics

Property	Characteristics
Hardness	Higher than conventional rosin help produce harder paint or ink films
Gloss	Good gloss, suitable for paints, varnishes and printing inks requiring a glossy surface
Adhesion	Good adhesion to paper, wood, and certain metal surfaces
Film-forming ability	Forms relatively hard, clear, and uniform films
Pigment wetting	Good pigment wetting, supporting color dispersion in inks and coatings
Compatibility	May have good compatibility with nitrocellulose, alkyd resins, and certain other polymers, depending on the resin grade
Solubility	May be soluble in alcohols, esters, ketones or other organic solvents depending on the resin structure
Softening point	Generally higher than that of the original rosin
Heat resistance	Improved compared with unmodified rosin, although it is not considered a high-temperature-resistant resin
Polarity	Higher than rosin due to the introduction of carboxyl and/or anhydride functional groups
Acid value	May be relatively high; this is an important parameter when selecting the resin for specific applications

It should be noted that water resistance, alkali resistance and color stability are not always superior. These properties depend strongly on the formulation and degree of esterification. Therefore, performance should not be evaluated solely based on the term maleic-modified rosin.

Maleic Resin Uses

Rosin Modified Maleic Resin is most commonly used in printing inks, paints, varnishes and adhesives.

• Printing inks Used as a binder resin in flexographic, gravure, offset and certain solvent-based inks. It can improve gloss, adhesion and pigment dispersion.
• Paints and varnishes Used in wood coatings, varnishes, industrial paints and coating systems requiring hard and glossy films.
• Nitrocellulose coatings: Certain maleic-modified rosin esters are used to improve film hardness, gloss and adhesion.
• Adhesives Used as a tackifier or adhesion-modifying component in certain adhesive systems.
• Paper coatings Helps improve gloss, adhesion and surface properties.
• Pigments and masterbatches Certain resin grades may support pigment wetting and dispersion.
• Polishing materials and specialty coatings Used where a relatively hard, glossy film with good substrate adhesion is required.

Technical Specifications

PRODUCT NAME	PRODUCT CODE	COLOR (GARDNER, 50% TOLUENE)	ACID VALUE (mg KOH/g)	SOFTENING POINT (°C, R&B)	COLOR STABILITY AT 180°C/8H (ΔE GARDNER)
MALEIC MODIFIED ROSIN ESTER	MGE130A	3–4	≤30	128 ± 3	<2
MPE135A	4–5	≤30	135 ± 3	<2

Tag maleic modified rosin ester