Download brief descriptions of candle wax types

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF CANDLE WAX TYPES
Paraffin Wax. Paraffin is the world’s most commonly used candle wax. It is composed primarily
of straight-chained, saturated hydrocarbons, and is removed from petroleum during the refining
process. It is a relatively hard wax and comes in a variety of melting points, which allows it to be
used for many different types of candles. Developed in the 1850s, paraffin is valued for its opacity,
lack of color, lack of odor and consistent burn qualities.
Beeswax. Beeswax is the substance secreted by honeybees when they construct their
honeycombs, and is obtained by melting the empty comb in boiling water. It is stickier than other
waxes and its composition varies slightly according to the geographical location and diet of the
bees. It is a relatively soft wax, but has a relatively high melting point. It is the most expensive of
candle waxes, and is valued for its slow burn, golden color and unique aroma. Beeswax candles
have been used for more than 1,000 years.
Soy Wax. Soy wax is produced by hydrogenating soybean oil into a waxy solid. It is composed of
long-chain esters, acids, alcohols and hydrocarbons. It is softer, slower burning and less
transparent than paraffin. Its polarity makes it highly compatible with many fragrances and
essential oils. Soy wax comes in a wide range of melting points, and can be hydrogenated to a
brittle state. The development of soy wax is credited to the U.S. agribusiness community. It was
first commercially used in candles in the late 1990s.
Palm Wax. Palm wax is obtained primarily from oil palms grown in Southeast Asia. It is a relatively
hard, bright-burning wax composed of mid-chain fatty acids that make up the solid stearin fraction
of palm and palm kernel oil. Palm kernel stearin is most often used for candles. Palm wax comes in
a wide range of melting points, and can be hydrogenated to a brittle state. It can produce complex
crystal formations for unusual surface and color patterns. Palm wax has been commercially used
for candles since the late 1990s.
Stearin. This wax (also known as stearine) is derived from the long-chained saturated fatty acids
found in animal fats and vegetable oils. Stearin was developed in the 1820s, when a French
chemist discovered that by removing glycerin from animal fat (tallow), the resulting solid fatty
acid (stearin) could be used as a clean-burning candle wax. Stearin is relatively hard and opaque,
and typically is comprised primarily of stearic and palmitic acids. Both animal- and vegetablebased stearin is available today. The use of stearin wax remains largely confined to Europe.
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Microcrystalline wax. This petroleum-based wax contains a large percentage of branched and
cyclic saturated hydrocarbons, making it softer and more pliable than paraffin. Microcrystalline
waxes generally have a higher melting point than paraffin waxes (165-200 degrees F). They are
often blended with paraffin to control shrinkage, add texture, increase strength and/or improve
fragrance retention.
Fischer-Tropsch wax. Fischer-Tropsch (FT) waxes are synthetic waxes made using coal or
natural gas as raw materials. FT waxes are similar to paraffins in structure, but contain less
branching. The high melting point FT waxes are often used to increase the strength, hardness,
gloss and/or opacity of paraffin. The wax is named after German coal researchers Franz Fischer
and Hans Tropsch, who developed the Fischer-Tropsch process in 1923.
Gels. These transparent “waxes” are typically made from gelled mineral oils or gelled synthetic
hydrocarbons. The softer polymers yield a jellied consistency associated with container gel
candles. The harder polymers yield a glass-like gel that can be used for self-standing candles. Gels
are valued for their ability to suspend materials, and their unique “clear” look. Gels do not have a
traditional melt point, but become fluid enough to flow around 180 to 220 degrees F. They burn
more slowly than paraffin, but at a higher temperature.
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