Decorative Wood Varnishes from Limed-Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Product

Abstract

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) was recovered front cashew nut shells obtained from Ihube—Okigwe, Abia State by solvent extraction. The CNSL was treated with calcitun hydroxide at cunbient and elevated tenperatures to produce Iüned-CNSL products. The products were characterized and used tofonnulate oleoresinous varnishes using blown linseed oil, soybean and soybean-linseed alkyds as the oil bases.Results showed that the drying peffonnances of the varnishes were moderate and they showed high gloss. The resistance of the varnishes prepared with different alkyd resins to water and acid media was very good, fair for base Ineditun, and generally conparable to that of conunercial products. The drying property of both the product with and without driers is discussed.