Seedlac is converted into Shellac either by traditional hand made process or comparatively modern machine-made process. Hand made shellac is produced by properly blending Seedlac into a long narrow cloth bag and heating one end over a charcoal fire and the other end is attached to a windlass and is gradually twisted. The heat produced by the charcoal fire melts the lac which is forced out through the cloth by pressure. The molten lac is scraped out and drawn into sheets manually and left to dry. This process requires considerable manual skill and long experience.
Hand Made Shellac
Grades of Hand Made Shellac :-
1. Lemon One
2. Lemon Two
| Lemon One Hand Made (Physical Data) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Essential Requirements | Matter Insoluble in hot alcohol | Basic Limit - 1.0% |
| Relaxed Limit - 1.5% | ||
| Color Index | 12 Max. | |
| Rosin and Orpiment | Free from Rosin and Orpiment | |
| Optional Requirements | Volatile Matter | Not more than 2% |
| Ash | 0.5% | |
| Wax | Not more than 5.5% | |
| Flow | As agreed between buyer & seller | |
| Heat Polymerisation | As agreed between buyer & seller usually at temperature of 150 degree cel. | |
| Matter Soluble in Water | 0.5% (Max.) | |
| Acid Value | As agreed between buyer & seller | |
| Lead Content | As agreed between buyer & seller | |
| Iodine Value | As agreed between buyer & seller | |
| Lemon Two Hand Made (Physical Data) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Essential Requirements | Matter Insoluble in hot alcohol | Basic Limit - 1.25% |
| Relaxed Limit - 2.0% | ||
| Color Index | 15 Max. | |
| Rosin and Orpiment | Free from Rosin and Orpiment | |
| Optional Requirements | Volatile Matter | Not more than 2% |
| Ash | 0.8% | |
| Wax | Not more than 5.5% | |
| Flow | As agreed between buyer & seller | |
| Heat Polymerisation | As agreed between buyer & seller usually at temperature of 150 degree Celsius. | |
| Matter Soluble in Water | 0.5% (Max.) | |
| Acid Value | As agreed between buyer & seller | |
| Lead Content | As agreed between buyer & seller | |
| Iodine Value | As agreed between buyer & seller | |