CAS Number: 9000-59-3
ECHA EC Number: 232-549-9
FDA UNII: 46N107B71O
Appearance: pale yellow granular resin (east)
Food Chemicals Code Listed: No.
It is soluble in an alkaline solution with ammonia, borax, sodium carbonate, and sodium hydroxide and in organic solvents.
Once dissolved in acetone or alcohol, shellac gives a coating of superior durability and hardness. It is used in the traditional way to finish furniture, violins and guitars. Orange shellac is bleached with sodium hypochlorite to form white shellac. Because it is compatible with most other coatings, shellac is also used on wood to prevent bleeding of resin or pigments into the final coating.