Natural resin obtained mainly from the pistachio lentisco (Pistacia lentiscus) on the island of Chios in Greece. Putty rubber comes in the form of rounded granules, light yellow, bright and transparent. It is insoluble in water and soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons. With the addition of alcohol, the waxes contained in it are precipitated (approx. 15-20%). The film that forms is bright, flexible and soft.
It softens towards 80 ° C and melts between 105 ° C and 120 ° C.
Soluble in Turpentine Essence and partially in alcohol.
Due to its qualities of transparency and brilliance, Chios mastic gum is usually used in painting for the preparation of extremely high quality, extremely transparent, bright, non-yellowing and removable paints and varnishes.