Is 464 Or 444 Soy Wax Better?

The purpose of this article is to compare 444 and 464 soy wax, two popular options for candle making. Soy wax is made from soybeans and offers many benefits over paraffin wax, including being cleaner burning, eco-friendly, and providing better scent throw. While 444 and 464 soy wax share many similarities, they have a few key differences that impact how they perform.

444 soy wax has a lower melting point than 464, making it easier to work with and enabling better fragrance binding. 464 soy wax is harder and provides better hold for embeds and decorations. The two also differ in appearance, with 444 being creamier white while 464 is more opaque. This article will dive into the manufacturing process, melting points, scent throw, appearance, burn times, blending abilities, jar adhesion, eco-friendliness, and price of each type of soy wax. Understanding these differences will help candle makers determine which variety is better suited for their specific candle making needs.

Manufacturing Process

Both 444 and 464 soy waxes start with soybeans that are cleaned, cracked, flaked, and subjected to extraction with hexane solvent to remove the oil. The main difference lies in the hydrogenation process after extraction.

444 soy wax undergoes partial hydrogenation, which hydrogenates around 44% of the soybean oil’s fatty acids and converts them into saturated fats. This partial hydrogenation results in a wax with a higher melting point of 119-125°F.

464 soy wax is more fully hydrogenated, converting around 64% of the fatty acids into saturated fats. This increases the melting point further to 130-135°F (Source: https://houseoftwotrees.com/blogs/info/benefits-of-soy-wax-candles).

The higher level of hydrogenation also gives 464 soy wax a smoother and less grainy texture than 444. However, the more complete hydrogenation process requires more energy and resources for 464 soy wax.

Melting Point

444 soy wax has a higher melting point than 464 soy wax. 444 soy wax melts between 119-135°F, while 464 soy wax melts between 110-135°F (New Hobby Box). The higher melting point of 444 soy wax makes it a better choice for jar candles and other containers where you don’t want the wax to slump or bend out of shape as easily in higher temperatures.

The melting point of soy wax is generally lower than paraffin wax, which melts between 130-150°F (LinkedIn). The lower melting point allows soy wax to pull away from the sides of containers more easily to minimize wet spots, but in some cases you may want the higher melting point stability of paraffin.

Scent Throw

Scent throw refers to how well a candle’s fragrance travels when burning. There are key differences between 444 and 464 soy wax when it comes to fragrance retention and scent throw.

464 soy wax is known for having excellent hot and cold scent throw compared to 444 soy wax. The higher levels of soybean oil in 464 soy wax help anchor and retain fragrance oils better. This results in a stronger scent throw, especially when the candle is burning (hot throw).

In comparison, 444 soy wax does not retain fragrances as well. It has a lower hot throw than 464 due to the natural soy wax itself having less ability to hold onto fragrance oils. However, with proper wicking and fragrances formulated for 444 wax, adequate hot throw can be achieved.

For cold throw (unburned scent), 464 soy wax again outperforms 444. The higher soybean oil composition helps the wax absorb more oil, resulting in a stronger unburned cold scent. 444 soy wax has a lighter, more subtle cold throw unless an exceptionally high fragrance load is used.

In summary, 464 soy wax has superior hot and cold scent throw compared to 444 soy wax. Its ability to anchor fragrances makes it the best choice for candles requiring a strong scent presence.

Appearance

464 and 444 soy wax have slight differences in appearance that impact the look of finished candles. 464 soy wax has a creamy off-white color and is more opaque, while 444 soy wax is brighter white and more translucent (Fruugo Norge). The opacity of 464 soy wax helps achieve a smoother look in container candles, while the translucency of 444 soy wax allows more light to pass through, giving a crystal or icy appearance.

Many candle makers prefer the look of 444 soy wax, as the translucent finish better showcases dyes and decorative elements inside the candle. The crystalline finish of 444 also aligns with modern home décor trends. As Forest Cedar Scented Candle notes, 444 soy wax can create a “beautiful ice texture” and “vibrant color” in candles.

Ultimately, 464 soy wax lends a creamier, classic candle appearance, while 444 soy wax enables more of a modern, icy crystal look. Candle makers should choose the variety that best fits their aesthetic vision.

Burn Time

When comparing 444 and 464 soy wax, they have relatively similar burn times. According to Oily Blends, their candles made with American grown soy wax have a burn time of 25+ hours. Caledonia’s Best also advertises a 25 hour burn time for their 100g soy wax candles.

The burn time is highly dependent on the wick size used in the candle. Larger wick sizes will burn faster and shorter, while smaller wicks will extend the burn time. When testing soy wax specifically, it’s recommended to use CD or ECO wicks which are designed for vegetable waxes. With the properly tested wick, 444 and 464 soy wax should achieve similar long burn times. The wax type itself does not drastically change the burn rate, but factors like fragrance load and additives may slightly impact performance.

Wax Blending

Blending different types of soy wax can provide the benefits of each wax in one candle. Two popular soy wax types to blend are 444 and 464 soy waxes. According to Lone Star Candle Supply, blending these two wax types allows candle makers to customize the properties of their candles.

444 soy wax has a lower melting point than 464, so it can help make a candle that melts at a lower temperature. 464 soy wax is harder and allows for better fragrance retention. Blending the two allows for a candle with an ideal melting point and good fragrance throw.¹

A common blend ratio is 60% 444 soy wax with 40% 464 soy wax. This provides a nice balance of the properties. However, the ratios can be adjusted based on preference. More 444 will lower the melting point, while more 464 will increase hardness. Many candle makers experiment to find their ideal blend.

Jar Adhesion

Soy wax is known for sometimes having issues with adhesion to glass jars compared to paraffin wax. This can result in wet spots or the wax pulling away from the sides of the container. Of the two soy waxes, soy 464 tends to have slightly better jar adhesion according to some testing (source). The higher melting point of soy 444 can make it more prone to adhesion problems.

To reduce issues with jar adhesion when using soy wax, try these tips:

• Use textured jars or frosted glass containers, which allow the wax to grip better (source)
• Avoid clear, smooth glass which provides the least adhesion
• Add a small amount of paraffin wax or vybar to the soy wax blend
• Heat the glass container before pouring the wax to reduce temperature shock
• Ensure proper wick sizing to prevent mushroom tops or wet spots
• Cool candles slowly and allow time for the wax to shrink back from the sides as it cools

With some adjustments to materials and processes, soy wax candles can have excellent glass adhesion and an appealing finish.

Eco-Friendliness

When comparing 444 and 464 soy wax, both offer eco-friendly benefits over paraffin wax. However, 464 soy wax may have a slight edge when it comes to sustainability.

Soy wax in general is considered a renewable and biodegradable resource. The soybeans used to produce soy wax absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, helping reduce greenhouse gases. Soy farming also enriches soil. In addition, soy wax production generates less sulfur dioxide and relies less on crude oil compared to paraffin wax [1].

464 soy wax has a higher natural soy content versus 444 soy wax. 464 contains only hydrogenated soybean oil, while 444 also includes other additives like paraffin and vybar to modify properties like melting point and burn time. Therefore, 464 soy wax could be considered more sustainable and eco-friendly than 444 [2].

In summary, both 444 and 464 soy waxes are more eco-friendly than paraffin, but 464 may have a slight advantage due to its higher natural soybean content and lack of additives.

Price Comparison

When it comes to price, 464 soy wax tends to be more expensive per pound compared to 444 soy wax. The reason for this price difference comes down to the manufacturing process and ingredients used.

464 soy wax contains vybar which makes the wax harder and raises the melting point. Vybar is a proprietary additive from Cargill that is more expensive than the pure soy wax used in 444. On average, 464 soy wax costs $1.80 – $2.20 per pound while 444 soy wax runs $1.20 – $1.60 per pound.

So you can expect to pay around $.50 to $.70 more per pound for 464 soy wax compared to 444. For large volume production, this price difference can add up. However, 464 may be worth the extra cost if you need the higher melting point and hardness it provides.

In summary, 444 soy wax is the more affordable option, but 464 offers benefits that justify the premium price point for many candle makers and businesses.