From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
Fixative is a term
meaning "a stabilizing or
preservative agent". There are
several different compounds called
fixatives:
Drawing
In
drawing, a fixative is a
liquid, similar to
varnish, which is usually
sprayed over a finished piece of
artwork to better preserve it and
prevent smudging. Artwork media
requiring fixative include
drawings done in
pencil,
charcoal, and
pastel. An artist will often
fix layers of a work in progress,
in order to easily add further
layers. Such a technique requires
a workable fixative. Fixative is
available in
aerosol sprays.
Biology
In
biology, a fixative is a
solution used to preserve or
harden fresh tissue or cell
specimens for microscopic
examination. Usually they
stabilise and firm tissues by
denaturing or cross-linking
constituent proteins.
Formaldehyde solution is an
example of a fixative.
Perfumery
In
perfumery, a fixative is a
natural or synthetic substance
used to reduce the evaporation
rate and improve stability when
added to more volatile components.
This allows the final product to
last longer while keeping its
original fragrance. Fixatives are
indispensable commodities to the
perfume industry. Some examples of
fixatives are
sandalwood,
musk, and
orris root. Natural fixatives
usually have a fragrance
considered a
base note, reflecting their
low volatility.
