Linseed oil

Linseed oil (CAS 8001-26-1), also commercially known as flaxseed oil, is a drying oil pressed from the seeds of the flax plant.

Where is Linseed oil used?

• Coatings: binder and film former in architectural and industrial paints, primers, wood finishes
• Printing inks: vehicle base in offset and letterpress formulations
• Linoleum flooring and oilcloth: polymerized oil as primary binding matrix for mineral fillers and pigments
• Leather and textile finishing: conditioning and waterproofing agent
• It also serves as a lubricant base in metalworking compounds.

Good to know: Its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids enables it to oxidize and polymerize on exposure to air, forming a tough, flexible film. Standard commercial grades include raw, boiled, and stand oil variants, each with distinct viscosity and drying characteristics.

Commercial specifications

• Boiled grades most common for coatings due to accelerated drying times