Resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers
. Resins are usually mixtures of organic compounds, mainly composed of atoms such as carbon, hydrogen, and a little oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, combined together
. Plants secrete resins for their protective benefits in response to injury, and the resin protects the plant from insects and pathogens
. The composition of plant resins is mostly terpenes, which are specific components such as alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, delta-3 carene, and sabinene, among others
. Synthetic resins tend to be composite blends, meaning they are made from a combination of organic compounds that are held together with a chemical bond
. The properties of a resin are highly specific to the project at hand, and there is no one-size-fits-all, particularly as the project becomes more specialized
