A water varnish is specifically defined as a type of varnish where the liquid used to dissolve the solid components is water.
According to definitions, a water varnish is a varnish in which water is the solvent and the solid substances that remain after the solvent evaporates and form the protective film, known as nonvolatile ingredients, are water-soluble gums.
Understanding the Components
Based on the definition, the key ingredients in a water varnish are:
- Solvent: Water. This means the varnish is water-based, allowing it to be thinned and cleaned up with water, unlike traditional varnishes that use organic solvents.
- Nonvolatile Ingredients: These are the film-forming materials. In a water varnish, these are specifically water-soluble gums. These gums dissolve in water and then dry to create a hard, protective layer.
This composition distinguishes water varnish from other types of varnish, such as oil-based varnishes, where the solvent is a drying oil or a petroleum-based spirit, and the nonvolatile ingredients are resins that may not be water-soluble. The use of water as a solvent contributes to characteristics like lower odor and easier cleanup compared to solvent-based alternatives.
