Linseed Oil

n (15c) Drying oil from seeds of the flax plant Linum usitatissimum, a mixture of glyceryl esters of linolenic (25%), oleic (5%), linoleic (62%), stearic (3%), and palmitic (5%) acids. The oil is refined by treatments which remove water and mucilaginous material and is then described as refined oil, according to the method of treatment. Further processing produces boiled oil, blown oil or bodied oil. This best known and most widely used oil in the paint industry if characterized by its relatively short drying time. Its high degree of unsaturation, to which its good drying characteristics can be partially ascribed, is due to the presence of large percentages of linolenic and linoleic triglycerides. Many years ago the oil was obtained from seed by mechanical pressure, including both hydraulic presses and later expellers. In recent years the more modern solvent extraction is used. Oils thus obtained show lower percentages of impurities and better overall quality. Linseed oil responds...