Tung oil is an oil that comes from the seed kernels of the tung tree. The tung tree originally grew in East Asia, chiefly in China. Tung oil is also called China-wood oil, Japanese-wood oil, or simply wood oil. The tree has also been successfully grown in the southern United States. Tung oil is one of the most powerful drying agents. The oil resists acids, alkalis, and alcohols.
Tung oil is widely used in paints, lacquers, varnishes, and printing inks. Paints containing tung oil help seal the underwater surfaces of swimming pools, dams, piers, and boats. Varnishes made with it help insulate wire and metallic surfaces. Tung oil is used to waterproof paper and fabrics. It is also used as a finish for wood. Because of its high cost, tung oil is sometimes replaced with epoxy resins and other synthetics.
