What Elements Are Wax Made Of?

Wax is a soft malleable substance that is solid at room temperature but melts at fairly low temperatures. It is produced by a variety of insects and plants and is used for many purposes including as a lubricant, to resist liquid absorption, and to create wax sculptures and candles (Wax Definition & Meaning). Some common types of wax include beeswax produced by honey bees, paraffin wax derived from petroleum, carnauba wax from palm leaves, and soy wax made from soybean oil. Wax has unique properties that make it useful for art, industry, and commercial products.

Chemical Composition

Wax is primarily composed of long-chain hydrocarbons and long-chain alcohols. The hydrocarbons are molecules that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in long straight chains. The main hydrocarbon found in waxes is called an alkane. Alkanes have the general chemical formula CnH2n+2. The alcohols in wax also contain long carbon chains, typically between 20 and 30 carbon atoms. They have a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the end of the chain. Together, the long hydrocarbon chains and alcohol chains give wax its unique physical properties.

The exact chemical composition of a wax depends on the source. Beeswax, for example, contains mostly hydrocarbons with some esters and free fatty acids, while lanolin wax contains mostly esters as well as hydrocarbons and alcohols. Paraffin wax is made up of mostly straight-chain alkanes. The length of the carbon chains and the ratios of the different components affect the melting point, hardness, and other properties of the wax (Patel, 2001).

Natural Waxes

There are many different types of natural waxes derived from animal, vegetable, and mineral sources. Some of the most common natural waxes include beeswax, whale wax, and plant-based waxes like carnauba and candelilla wax.

Beeswax is secreted by honey bees to build the walls of their honeycomb. It has a pleasant, mild scent and ranges in color from yellow to almost black. Beeswax is widely used in cosmetics, candles, polishes, and as a food additive. It is composed primarily of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols.

Whale wax, also called spermaceti, is obtained from the head cavities of sperm whales. It is a white or yellowish-white wax that is solid at room temperature. Whale wax was traditionally used in candle and soap making, as a lubricant, and in various cosmetic creams and ointments. However, due to whale hunting bans, it is rarely used commercially today.

Plant waxes are derived from the leaves, stems, and fruits of specific species of plants. Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. It is one of the hardest natural waxes and is used in automotive waxes, floor polishes, and shoe polishes. Candelilla wax is derived from the leaves of a small shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is often used as a substitute for carnauba wax and beeswax.

Petroleum-Based Waxes

Petroleum-derived waxes are made from the distillation of crude oil. There are several types commonly used, including paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and polyethylene wax.

Paraffin wax is composed of straight chain alkanes ranging from C20 to C40 ^[1]. It has a crystalline structure and melts between 47°C and 64°C. Paraffin wax is hard and brittle with low viscosity. It is commonly used for candles, crayons, polishes, and lubricants.

Microcrystalline wax contains branched and cyclic hydrocarbons and has a higher molecular weight than paraffin wax. It melts between 73°C and 94°C and is more flexible and elastic than paraffin ^[1]. Microcrystalline wax is often used in cosmetics, polishes, and electrical insulation.

Polyethylene wax is composed of long ethylene chains. It has a low melting point between 107°C and 115°C and is soft and pliable. Polyethylene wax is used as a lubricant additive and in adhesives, coatings, and inks.

Wax Additives

Wax additives play an important role in candle making. They are added to wax to modify certain properties and improve the quality and performance of candles. Some common wax additives include:

Plasticizers – Materials like Vybar 103 are added to increase flexibility and reduce brittleness of wax at low temperatures. This prevents cracking and frosting.

Antioxidants – Substances such as UV light stabilizers help slow down oxidation and prevent discoloration of wax from light exposure.

Hardeners – Materials like stearic acid are used to increase the hardness and opacity of wax, improving the texture and finish.

Scent binders – Special additives help lock in fragrance and prevent scent loss from the candle.

Proper selection and use of these additives can enhance the appearance, scent throw, and burning quality of candles.

Wax Manufacturing

Waxes are manufactured from a variety of sources, including crude oil, plants, animals, and insects. The main manufacturing process involves extracting and purifying the wax.

Petroleum-based waxes like paraffin are extracted from crude oil through a distillation process. Crude oil is heated in a distillation tower, separating the various compounds based on boiling point. The heavier paraffin hydrocarbons condense out of the vapor and are extracted as a wax residue [1].

Natural waxes from plants and animals undergo an extraction process using organic solvents. Beeswax, for example, is extracted by melting and filtering the honeycomb wax [2]. Carnauba wax is extracted from palm leaves using solvents like hexane.

After extraction, the waxes go through a purification process like filtering, centrifuging, and bleaching to remove impurities and alter color. The purified waxes may then be blended together to produce waxes with specific properties for different applications.

Wax Properties

Waxes have unique physical properties that make them useful for various applications. Some key properties include:

Melting Point – Waxes are solid at room temperature but melt at temperatures between 120-200°F. Beeswax has a relatively low melting point around 143-147°F, while paraffin wax melts at 130-138°F. The melting point determines how a wax can be used.

Hardness – Wax hardness varies based on the composition, but most are relatively soft, solid substances at room temperature. Hardness determines how durable or malleable a wax will be.

Opacity – Waxes are typically opaque rather than clear. This opacity makes them useful for products where visibility is not needed, like candles. Beeswax is slightly translucent while paraffin wax is quite opaque.

The combination of melting point, hardness, and opacity help determine the functionality of a wax for applications ranging from candles to polishes and coatings. Understanding the physical properties provides insight into selecting the optimal wax for a given use case.

(Melting point info cited from: https://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/what-is-wax,-anyway.php)

Wax Uses

Some of the most common uses of wax include candles, waxes, polishes, and cosmetics. Wax has properties like high melting point, malleability, and non-stickiness that make it useful for a variety of applications.

Candles are one of the most well-known uses of wax. Paraffin wax, beeswax, soy wax, and other types of wax are commonly used to make candles. The wax provides the fuel for the candle flame. The hardness of the wax allows candles to retain their shape, and the melting point is optimal for a slow, even burn. Candles contain wicks to draw up the liquid wax which is then burned. The wax pool melts and travels up the wick when lit.

Waxes are used to polish and protect surfaces like wood, leather, granite, cars, and more. Wax provides a glossy, protective layer that repels water and stains. Carnauba wax, beeswax, and paraffin wax are common in polishes and waxes. The hardness of the wax allows it to create a durable shine. Wax is easy to apply and buff to a glossy finish.

Cosmetics like lipsticks, mascaras, and eyeliners contain waxes. Waxes help provide structure and hardness to cosmetics. Beeswax and paraffin are common. The waxes allow cosmetics to be molded into sticks, like lipsticks. When applied, the waxes help the cosmetics adhere. The wax base allows for application of color and glide across the skin.

Interesting Facts

Wax has been used by humans for thousands of years, dating back to around 3500 BC when it was first used to help build boats. Since then wax has been an important material with many interesting uses and properties. Here are some fun wax facts:

Beeswax contains vitamin A which has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used as a salve on wounds by the Ancient Egyptians (source).

Soy wax candles burn 30-50% longer than traditional paraffin wax candles. This is because soy wax has a lower melting point and holds scent better (source).

Surfboard wax helps surfers grip their boards and was originally made from paraffin wax in the 1930s. Modern surf wax uses harder synthetic waxes that are more waterproof (source).

Ear wax isn’t actually a wax, but a mixture of skin secretions like oils and sweat. The proper name is cerumen (source).

Wax seals were used to seal letters before envelopes were invented. The wax impressed with a personal seal showed the authenticity of the letter (source).

Conclusion

In summary, wax is an important material with a wide variety of uses. It is composed of a mix of organic compounds, with the exact composition depending on the source. Both natural waxes from plants and animals and synthetic petroleum-based waxes have unique properties that make them useful for applications like candles, cosmetics, polishes, waterproofing, and more. Wax has special chemical and physical characteristics, like its low melting point, that enable many of its functions. Throughout history and continuing today, wax remains a versatile substance that provides benefits across many industries.

Understanding the elements that make up different types of wax allows us to engineer waxes for specific purposes. The complex blends of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and other compounds produce the texture, scent, color, and performance needed. While wax has ancient origins, today’s manufacturing processes allow more control and innovation. The many uses we still find for wax illustrate its enduring importance.