Pine tar

Pine tar is a form of <a href="/facts/Wood_tar/E4tVbqyq">wood tar</a> produced by the high temperature <a href="/facts/Carbonization/o8LenJPn">carbonization</a> of <a href="/facts/Pine/HvMa9uc1">pine</a> wood in <a href="/facts/Hypoxia_(environmental)/VSSWPNlF">anoxic</a> conditions (dry distillation or <a href="/facts/Destructive_distillation/wtNd7vB8">destructive distillation</a>). The wood is rapidly <a href="/facts/Pyrolysis/h1cEegI7">decomposed by applying heat</a> and pressure in a closed container; the primary resulting products are <a href="/facts/Charcoal/tpYGBHTn">charcoal</a> and pine <a href="/facts/Tar/7SplkFWL">tar</a>.
Pine tar consists primarily of <a href="/facts/Aromatic_hydrocarbons/3EXq8Tgf">aromatic hydrocarbons</a>, tar acids, and tar bases. Components of tar vary according to the <a href="/facts/Pyrolysis/h1cEegI7">pyrolytic</a> process (e.g. method, duration, temperature) and origin of the wood (e.g. age of pine trees, type of soil, and moisture conditions during tree growth). The choice of wood, design of <a href="/facts/Kiln/MFTuDWhU">kiln</a>, burning, and collection of the tar can vary. Only pine stumps and roots are used in the traditional production of pine tar.
Pine tar has a long history as a wood preservative, as a wood sealant for maritime use, in <a href="/facts/Roofing_construction/0B4ygtoX">roofing construction</a> and maintenance, in <a href="/facts/Soap/99DbjMR5">soaps</a>, and in the treatment of <a href="/facts/Carbuncle/HI0yKqJ9">carbuncles</a> and <a href="/facts/Dermatology/YfvJ8uXn">skin diseases</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Psoriasis/WW1k1LsH">psoriasis</a>, <a href="/facts/Eczema/JwlyQBa2">eczema</a>, and <a href="/facts/Rosacea/jxYUX2ml">rosacea</a>. It is used in <a href="/facts/Baseball/42bEQy1Y">baseball</a> to enhance the grip of a hitter's bat; it is also sometimes used by <a href="/facts/Pitcher/08gAFpa3">pitchers</a> to improve their grip on the ball, in violation of the rules.

Pine tar open-in-new

Pine tar