Which Soy Wax Is Better 444 Or 464?

Soy wax is a vegetable-based wax made from soybeans that is commonly used to make candles. It was first developed in the 1990s as an alternative to paraffin wax, which is a petroleum-based product. Soy wax is biodegradable and renewable, making it an eco-friendly option for candle making. It is also often blended with other waxes like paraffin and beeswax to create candles. Soy wax candles burn cleaner than paraffin candles and do not release harmful chemicals into the air. The soy wax candle market has grown significantly in recent years as more consumers demand natural and sustainable products. Soy wax is now one of the most popular waxes used by professional candle makers and hobbyists alike.

Soy Wax 444

Soy Wax 444 is an all-natural soybean wax produced by Golden Brands. According to the product specifications on the Golden Wax website, Soy Wax 444 has a melting point of 119-125°F and a melt point of 130-145°F (1). This makes it a good choice for container candles, as it will retain its shape in warmer environments. Soy Wax 444 also has excellent fragrance retention and throw. The product description states that it has “high fragrance retention for a flake form wax” (1). Reviews of Soy Wax 444 indicate that it produces candles with strong scent throw across multiple fragrance types (2). The natural additives in Soy Wax 444 allow fragrance oils to bind well to the wax, resulting in bold fragrance when the candle is burned.

(1) https://candlewic.com/product/golden-wax-444-soy-blend-wax/
(2) https://bulknaturaloils.com/soy-wax-flakes-golden-brand-444-b4092.html

Soy Wax 464

Soy Wax 464 is a hybrid blend of soy and paraffin waxes. It has a higher melting point than 444 and is better suited for containers and votives. Some key features of 464:

Melting Point

The melting point of Soy Wax 464 is 129-135°F. This higher melting temperature makes it a good choice for containers and votives where you want a harder wax to resist melting in warmer conditions. The higher melting point also allows for fragrance oils to be added at slightly higher temperatures to improve binding.

Burn Temperature

Soy Wax 464 burns at a temperature range of 129-143°F. This allows the wax to hold more fragrance oil and produce a stronger scent throw compared to waxes with lower burn temps. The higher burn temperature also provides a clean, complete burn.

Scent Throw

With its higher melting point and burn temperature, Soy Wax 464 can hold more fragrance oil than 444 soy wax. This allows for excellent hot and cold scent throw. Candles made with 464 soy wax will fill a room with fragrance.

Appearance

The color, finish, and texture are slightly different between Soy Wax 444 and 464. According to reports from candle makers, Soy Wax 444 has a creamier white appearance whereas Soy Wax 464 is more opaque and duller in color [1]. Soy Wax 444 results in a smoother finish on the candle surface compared to 464, which can create more frosting. In terms of texture, Soy Wax 444 is denser and harder than Soy Wax 464 when cooled [2]. This is due to the higher melting point of 444, allowing the wax to contract more as it cools and solidifies.

Fragrance Oils

When it comes to fragrance oils, soy wax 444 and 464 perform quite differently. Soy wax 444 is known to have a light to medium scent throw, meaning fragrances tend to be subtle when using this wax. It requires a higher fragrance oil concentration, usually 6-8%, to really allow the smells to come through strong in the finished candle.

Soy wax 464, on the other hand, has an excellent hot and cold scent throw. Fragrances seem to bloom beautifully in 464, even at lower fragrance oil concentrations of 4-6%. The candles have noticeably stronger aromas compared to those made with 444 wax.

In general, most candle makers recommend using complex fragrances with soy wax 464 to get the full benefit of its excellent scent throw. Simple single note fragrances may get lost more easily. Opt for fragrances with a blend of top, middle and base notes to allow the smells to fully develop as the candle burns. Some popular fragrance oil options include fruity scents like blackberry sage, herbal aromas like eucalyptus mint, and complex florals like lilac blossoms.

Blending Ability

Soy waxes 444 and 464 can be safely blended together. This allows candle makers to customize the properties of their wax by combining the benefits of both waxes.

444 soy wax offers a smooth appearance and good scent throw, while 464 soy wax promotes crystalline formation and easy release from the mold. Blending them allows tuning the wax for optimal performance.

A common blend ratio is 70% 444 soy wax and 30% 464 soy wax. This provides a nice balance of appearance and release properties (source). The blending ability of 444 and 464 soy waxes gives candle makers great flexibility.

Cost

When it comes to price per pound, Soy Wax 444 tends to be a bit more expensive than Soy Wax 464. 444 wax costs around $2.50-$3.50 per pound, while 464 wax ranges from $1.50-$2.50 per pound. The exact pricing can vary between suppliers.

A few key factors contribute to 444 being more expensive on average:

• 444 has a higher soy content at 100%, whereas 464 contains vegetable and soy waxes blended together.
• 444 produces a cleaner burn with less soot, which adds more value.
• The production process for 444 is more complex compared to 464.

Despite the small price difference, many candle makers prefer using 444 wax because the higher price brings better performance and burn quality. The cost per candle is minimal for both types of wax in the end. For those on a tight budget, 464 can be an affordable alternative without compromising too much on quality.

Availability

Both Soy Wax 444 and 464 can be purchased from most major candle making suppliers, either online or in physical stores. However, here are some key differences in availability:

Soy Wax 444 is manufactured by Cargill and sold under their NatureWax brand. It is widely available from candle supply vendors like CandleScience, Lone Star Candle Supply, and others. Given Cargill’s large production capabilities, Soy 444 is usually in stock and ships quickly.

Soy Wax 464 is produced by Golden Brands and sold under their GB-464 name. It may have more limited availability compared to Soy 444. The major candle suppliers carry it, but some smaller retailers may not. It also sometimes goes out of stock at peak seasonal times when candle making ramps up.

Overall, Soy Wax 444 generally has better availability and inventory across more suppliers. Soy 464 may require checking multiple vendors if one is sold out for a period of time.

Candle Testing Results

Several candle makers have tested soy wax 444 versus 464 to compare performance in areas like burn time, wax pooling, and scent throw. In testing documented on Reddit, soy wax 444 generally had a longer burn time by a couple hours compared to 464. The higher melting point of 444 creates a hotter wax pool, resulting in better scent throw as well. One tester found the 444 wax pooled evenly all the way to the edges, while 464 left unmelted wax around the edges.

According to another candle making forum, testing showed soy wax 444 performed better in terms of both hot and cold scent throw. The 444 wax also had a cleaner burn without excessive soot. The higher melt point allows fragrance oils to remain stable for longer. One maker reported getting 50 hours of burn time from 444 compared to just 35 hours with 464 soy wax.

Overall, soy wax 444 appears to edge out 464 in burn time, wax pooling, and scent throw based on multiple candle makers’ testing and reviews. The slightly higher melt point of 444 provides advantages for many applications.

Summary

In summary, Soy Wax 444 and 464 have some key differences that make each better suited for certain candle making applications. Soy Wax 444 has a higher melting point of 119-125°F, making it a good choice for pillars and votives where you want a stronger hold. It may also give a better hot throw. Soy Wax 464 has a lower melting point of 110-119°F, making it a better choice for containers and melts. It tends to have a smoother appearance and better cold throw. Both waxes blend well with fragrance oils, though some testing may be required to find the right wax/fragrance ratio. In terms of availability and cost, the two waxes are comparable.

When choosing between Soy Wax 444 and 464, consider the candle design and intended use. Test both options to determine which performs better with your specific fragrance oils. For an all-purpose soy wax, many candle makers prefer Soy Wax 464 for its versatility across candle styles, quality cold throw, and smooth finish.