A Comprehensive Guide to Petroleum Resin: Principles, Types, and Uses
2026-03-19
What is Petroleum Resin?
Petroleum resin (hydrocarbon resin) is a thermoplastic resin produced from C5 and C9 fractions byproducts of petroleum cracking through pretreatment, polymerization, distillation and other processes.
Petroleum resins, named for their origin as petroleum derivatives, are characterized by low acid values, good miscibility, resistance to water, ethanol, and chemicals. They exhibit chemical stability to acids and alkalis, and possess good viscosity-regulating and thermal stability. Petroleum resins are generally not used alone, but rather as accelerators, regulators, modifiers, and in combination with other resins.
What are the different types of petroleum resins?
Petroleum resins are classified into aromatic resins (C9), aliphatic resins (C5), alicyclic resins (DCPD), aliphatic/aromatic copolymer resins (C5/C9), and hydrogenated petroleum resins (C5 hydrogenated petroleum resin and C9 hydrogenated petroleum resin) according to different raw materials. Their constituent molecules are all hydrocarbons, so they are also called hydrocarbon resins (HCR).
What is C9 Aromatic Resins?
C9 petroleum resin, also known as aromatic petroleum resin, is a thermoplastic resin produced by polymerizing C9 fraction, a byproduct of ethylene cracking units, in
the presence of a catalyst, or by copolymerizing it with aldehydes, aromatics, and terpenes. It is classified into hot-polymerized, cold-polymerized, and tar-based types.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Among the many physicochemical properties of petroleum resins, the most important are softening point and hue. A softening point of 50-140℃ and a hue less than 13, ranging from light yellow to dark brown, are required. The polymerization method of the C9 fraction has a significant impact on the hue and softening point of C9 petroleum resins.
Name | C9 petroleum resin |
Average Molecular Weight | 2000~5000 |
Appearance | Pale yellow to light brown flake, granular or solid block, transparent and glossy |
Relative Density | 0.97~1.04 |
Softening Point | 80~140℃ |
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | 81℃ |
Refractive Index | 1.512 |
Flash Point | 260℃ |
Acid Value | 0.1~1.0 mgKOH/g |
Iodine Value | 30~120 gI₂/100g |
Solubility | Soluble in acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexane, dichloroethane, ethyl acetate, toluene, gasoline, etc.Insoluble in ethanol and water |
What is Aliphatic Resin C5?
C5 petroleum resins, also as known as aliphatic Resin C5 have already occupied an important position as tackifying resins. They are most widely used in hot melt adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives, as well as in rubber tires and other fields. Petroleum resins are suitable for use in hot melt adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and rubber tires. They exhibit excellent compatibility with styrene polymers such as SIS, SBS, SEBS, and SEPS, as well as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and EVA. They also show good compatibility with natural tackifying resins (terpenes, rosin, and their derivatives), improving various properties of adhesives to varying degrees.
Physical and chemical properties
Property\Grade | RKA1090 | RKA1095 | RKA1100 | RKA1105 | RKA1110 | RKA1115 |
Appearance | Granular | Granular | Granular | Granular | Granular | Granular |
Softening Point (℃) | 90 ±4 | 95 ±4 | 100±4 | 105±4 | 110±4 | 115±4 |
Color (Gardner, Ga) | 4-8# | 4-8# | 4-8# | 4-8# | 4-8# | 4-8# |
Acid Value (KOH mg/g) | ≤1 | ≤1 | ≤1 | ≤1 | ≤1 | ≤1 |
Stability (200℃, 3h, Ga) | +2# | +2# | +2# | +2# | +2# | +2# |
Cloud Point (℃)EVA/Resin/Wax=25/25/5030/45/25 20/40/40 | / | ≤85 | / | ≤80 | / | / |
Insoluble Matter (Vol%) | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 |
Properties of C5 Petroleum Resin in Adhesive Systems
- Excellent fluidity, improving the wettability of base materials.
- Strong adhesion with outstanding initial tack performance.
- Superior aging resistance.
- Optimal balance between cohesive strength and peel strength.
- Light color.
- Transparent, low odor, and low volatile content.
Properties of C5 Petroleum Resin in Tire Rubber Applications
- Good tackifying property
- Softens and reinforces during processing, improving elongation and anti-stripping properties.
- Significantly increases green tack without affecting curing time or physical properties after vulcanization.
- No adhesion to processing machinery.
- Helps achieve uniform distribution of fillers.
What is Hydrogenated Petroleum Resin?
Hydrogenated petroleum resins are mainly used as tackifying resins for solvent-based adhesives, hot melt adhesives, and hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesives, and are applied in hygiene products, food packaging, and bookbinding.
The product is usually white or light yellow with a relative density of 1.01. It features a light color and improved aging resistance.
C9 hydrogenated petroleum resin offers excellent tackifying property, good compatibility, and high thermal and light stability, making it widely used in hygiene products, food packaging, book binding, and other applications.
What is Aliphatic/Aromatic Copolymer Resin (C5/C9)？
C5/C9 Copolymer Petroleum Resin, appearing as a pale yellow to brownish-yellow flaky or granular solid. Its relative density ranges from 0.96 to 1.02, its softening point ranges from 90 to 120°C, and its acid value is less than 1.0 mg KOH/g.
C5/C9 Copolymer of petroleum resin combines the characteristics of both C5 and C9 petroleum resins, exhibiting a higher iodine value than C9 petroleum resin, good solubility, and superior compatibility with polar and non-polar polymers. It is used as a tackifying resin in pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives, and rubber-based adhesives.
Physical and chemical properties
Property | Specification |
Color (Iron-Cobalt Color Scale) | 10~14 |
Acid Value | ＜1.0 mg KOH/g |
Softening Point (Ring and Ball Method) | 90~120℃ |
Ash Content (550℃~25℃) | ≤2% |
Bromine Value | 20~40 mgBr/100g |
Heat Loss (65℃) | ≤0.5% |
What is DCPD Resin?
DCPD is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₁₀H₁₂. It is a dimer formed from cyclopentadiene via the Diels-Alder reaction, existing in two isomers: endo and exo. It appears as colorless crystals, is insoluble in water, and soluble in alcohol, ether and carbon tetrachloride.
Physical and chemical properties
Property | Specification |
Density | 0.982 g/cm³ |
Melting Point | 33.6 ℃ |
Boiling Point | 170 ℃ |
Flash Point | 26 ℃ |
Refractive Index | 1.512 |
Appearance | Colorless crystal |
Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, ether and carbon tetrachloride; insoluble in water |
What is DCPD Resin Used For?
- Used as the third component of ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPDM).
- Used as a raw material for the synthesis of ethylidene norbornene (ENB).
- Reacts with maleic anhydride to produce nadic anhydride, which is used as a raw material for epoxy resin curing agents, polyester resins, alkyd resins, and pesticides.
- Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (hexachloride of cyclopentadiene) reacts with maleic anhydride to produce chlorendic anhydride, which is used as a flame retardant for synthetic resins.
- Used for the modification of tung oil, linseed oil, soybean oil, fish oil, etc., to accelerate drying and improve water resistance and alkali resistance.
- Dicyclopentadiene resins can be used in rubber adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, inks, coatings, etc
- Dicyclopentadiene dioxide can be used as injection-molding and lamination-molding resin.
What is petroleum resin used for?
1.Paint
The paint mainly uses high softening point C9 petroleum resin, DCPD resin, and C5/C9 copolymer resin. Adding petroleum resin to the paint can increase the gloss of the paint and improve the adhesion, hardness, acid resistance, and alkali resistance of the paint film.
2.Rubber
The rubber mainly uses low-softening-point C5 petroleum resin, C5/C9 copolymer resin, and DCPD resin. These resins have good miscibility with natural rubber granules and have little impact on the rubber vulcanization process. Adding petroleum resin to rubber can increase tack, reinforce, and soften it. In particular, the addition of C5/C9 copolymer resin can not only increase the adhesion between rubber granules but also improve the adhesion between rubber granules and tire cords, making it suitable for high-requirement rubber products such as radial tires.
3.Adhesive Industry
Petroleum resin has good adhesion. Adding petroleum resin to adhesives and pressure-sensitive tapes can improve the adhesive strength, acid resistance, alkali resistance, and water resistance of the adhesive, and effectively reduce production costs.
4.Ink Industry
Petroleum resins used in printing inks are mainly high-softening-point C9 petroleum resins and DCPD resins. Adding petroleum resins to inks can improve color development, speed up drying, increase gloss, and enhance printing performance.
5.Paint Industry
The paint used for road signs and road markings, petroleum resin, has good adhesion to concrete or asphalt pavement, as well as good wear resistance and water resistance. It has good affinity with inorganic substances, easy coating, good weather resistance, fast drying, high durability, and can improve the physical and chemical properties of the coating, enhance UV resistance and weather resistance.
Transportation and Storage Notes for Petroleum Resin
Petroleum resin is a non-hazardous material. During transportation, it should be protected from sunlight and rain; it should not be transported with spontaneously combustible materials, strong oxidizers, or strong acids.
Petroleum resin should be stored in a ventilated, cool, and dry environment. The storage period is generally one year, and after one year, if it passes the inspection, it can still be used.
Contact KERTON CHEMICALS Right Now -- Chemical Products Manufacturer
Kerton Chemical – a reliable Chinese manufacturer and global supplier of chemical products, with mature production capacity, professional R&D strength and extensive international market experience.
As your trusted partner in China's chemical industry, we are ready to provide you with one-stop chemical solutions at any time. Contact us for more cooperation opportunities!
Previous page:
Blog update
What are the types of chemical materials
2024-11-05
What do chemical materials do?
2024-11-05
What are the industrial chemicals
2024-11-05