Will Wax Melt At 100 Degrees?

Wax is a common household material used for everything from candle making to sealing letters. But have you ever wondered what temperature wax melts at? The melting point of wax is an important property that determines how wax can be used. This article will examine the melting points of common waxes like paraffin, beeswax, and soy wax. We’ll look at the factors that affect melting temperature, how to properly measure it, and specifically whether wax melts at 100°F. Along the way, you’ll learn the best way to store wax to preserve its form and discover methods for changing melting points. If you use wax for crafts, cooking, or DIY projects, read on to become a melting point expert.

Table of Contents

What is Wax?

Wax is defined as an organic, plastic-like substance that is solid at ambient temperature but becomes liquid when melted.^[1] Waxes are made up of long hydrocarbon chains and may contain esters, fatty acids, primary and secondary alcohols, unsaturated bonds, aromatics, amides, ketones and aldehydes.^[2]

Some common sources of wax include:

Beeswax – Produced by honey bees from glands on the sides of their bodies.
Paraffin wax – Derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil.
Soy wax – Made from hydrogenated soybean oil.
Carnauba wax – Derived from the leaves of Copernicia prunifera palm.
Candelilla wax – Obtained from the leaves of the candelilla plant.

Waxes have a wide variety of uses, from candle-making to food coatings to cosmetics. Their composition allows them to provide surface protection, lubrication, consistency and moisture-proofing in these applications.^[3]

^{[1] https://igiwax.com/wax-basics/}
^{[2] https://paraffinwaxco.com/wax/}
^{[3] https://kitchencabinetkings.com/glossary/wax/}

Melting Points of Different Waxes

The melting point of a wax refers to the specific temperature at which the wax transitions from a solid to a liquid state. This temperature can vary significantly between different types of waxes due to their unique chemical compositions.

Some common melting point ranges for waxes used in candle making include:

Beeswax: 144-149°F (62-65°C) (Brookota’s Creations)
Paraffin Wax: 115-142°F (46-61°C) (Blended Waxes)
Soy Wax: 113-127°F (45-53°C) (Brookota’s Creations)
Parasoy Wax: 130–143°F (54–62°C) (Blended Waxes)

The melting point can be influenced by factors like the length of the carbon chains in the wax molecules. Longer chains result in higher melting points. The type and amount of additives blended into the wax can also impact the melting temperature.

Why Do Melting Points Matter?

The melting point of waxes is crucial for many applications where maintaining the solid state of the wax is important. For example, in candle making, the melting point determines the optimal burn temperature – too low and the candle will not retain its shape, too high and the wax will not melt to form a pool for an even burn. Beeswax has a melting point of 144-149°F which makes it ideal for votive and pillar candles. Paraffin wax with a melting point of 130-145°F is commonly used for container candles. If the wax melted at a temperature much below 100°F, it would risk collapsing in summer heat.

In cosmetics and skin care products like lip balm and lotion bars, the melting point allows the product to maintain solidity for convenient application but melt on contact with skin. A balm that melts at body temperature around 98°F would be too soft and potentially leak in warm weather. A melting point of 105-115°F provides more stability. Candle wax used in massage and aromatherapy applications should remain solid until melting from the heat of hands.

The melting point also determines the temperature range for proper storage. Storing wax above its melting point risks damage to the shape and structure. Any candles, cosmetics, or wax artwork should be kept 10-20°F below the melting point to prevent slumping or deformities.

Measuring Melting Points

There are a few different methods for determining the melting point of a wax:

Laboratory Testing

The most accurate way to measure a wax’s melting point is through laboratory testing. This involves using specialized equipment like a melting point apparatus which gradually heats up a sample while tracking the temperature. The temperature at which the wax transitions from a solid to a liquid state is noted as the melting point.

At-Home Testing

While less precise, it’s possible to get a general sense of a wax’s melting point at home. This can be done by heating a small amount of wax in a pan or tin on the stove or in the oven while monitoring the temperature with a thermometer. When the wax starts to liquefy, note the temperature. This will give you an approximation of the melting point, usually within 5-10 degrees.

The at-home method is more prone to human error and variance in heating methods. But it can provide a rough estimate if laboratory testing isn’t feasible. Proper safety precautions should be taken when heating wax at home.

Will Wax Melt at 100°F?

The melting point of wax depends on the type of wax being used. Common waxes used for candle making include paraffin, soy, beeswax, and palm wax. According to Nikura (https://nikura.com/blogs/discover/what-temperature-does-wax-melt), paraffin wax has a melting point between 130-150°F. Soy wax melts between 115-135°F, beeswax between 143-170°F, and palm wax around 126°F. Waxandwick (https://waxandwick.co/blogs/journal/what-temperature-does-candle-wax-melt) also confirms paraffin wax melts around 150°F.

With most candle waxes melting above 115°F, 100°F is generally not hot enough to completely melt wax. Paraffin, beeswax, and palm wax would remain solid at this temperature. Only soy wax, with its lower melting range starting around 115°F, may begin softening at 100°F. However, full melting would require temperatures closer to the peak of its melting range around 130°F.

In summary, 100°F falls short of the melting points of most standard candle waxes. While soy wax may start becoming pliable at this temperature, full melting requires the wax to reach its specific melting point temperature. So in most cases, 100°F does not provide enough heat to completely melt wax for candle making.

Storing Wax Properly

Proper storage is important for maintaining the quality and scent of different wax types like soy, paraffin, or beeswax (IGI Wax, 2022). Ideal storage temperatures vary based on the wax’s melting point. Solid waxes should be kept at room temperature or lower, away from direct sunlight in a cool, dark place (Suffolk Candles Co., 2022).

For soy wax, storage temperatures between 55-75°F are recommended to avoid melting or frosting of the wax. Paraffin wax should be stored around 65°F. Beeswax has a higher melting point, so storage temperatures can be a bit warmer between 70-80°F without risk of melting (IRM Wax, n.d.). Storing wax in the refrigerator or freezer is not advised as condensation can form and degrade wax quality over time.

Wax can be stored in its original packaging or transferred to glass, metal, or plastic containers with tight lids. Proper storage helps retain fragrance, color, and texture of wax for use in candles, wax melts, or other applications (IGI Wax, 2014). Maintaining the ideal temperature based on wax type is key for proper storage and handling.

Altering Melting Points

The melting point of a wax can be altered by adding modifiers that change its chemical composition. Some common ways to modify a wax’s melting point include:

Adding stearic acid: Stearic acid has a melting point around 158°F. Adding it to a wax with a lower melting point like soy wax can increase the overall melting point of the blended wax. The more stearic acid that is added, the more the melting point will increase.

Blending waxes: Mixing waxes together with different melting points can create a wax with a melting point in between those of the original waxes. For example, beeswax has a melting point around 144-147°F while soy wax is 115-120°F. Blending the two can create a wax with an intermediate melting point.

The reason modifying a wax changes its melting point is because melting point is intrinsic to the chemical composition of a substance. Adding molecules with higher melting points raises the overall melting point of the blend. The melting point depends on the strength of attractions between molecules, so changing the types of molecules present directly impacts the melting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about wax melting points:

What is the melting point of paraffin wax?

Paraffin wax has a melting point between 115-142°F (46-61°C), depending on the type. Most paraffin wax melts between 120-130°F.

Does beeswax melt at 100 degrees?

No, beeswax has a higher melting point between 144-149°F (62-65°C), so it does not melt at 100°F.

What temperature does soy wax melt at?

Soy wax melts between 113-127°F (45-53°C). The melting point depends on the soy wax blend.

How do you know if wax is fully melted?

Wax is fully melted when there are no remaining solid pieces or clumps and the wax is completely liquid. Melted wax will also be clear and transparent.

Does wax melt at room temperature?

Most waxes used for candles do not melt at normal room temperature, which is around 68–77°F (20–25°C). Beeswax and soy wax have higher melting points above 100°F.

Paraffin wax may start to soften at warmer room temperatures but does not completely liquefy until reaching a temperature of at least 115°F.

Conclusion

In summary, wax is a complex substance with many variables that affect its melting point. The main factors are the type of wax, such as paraffin or beeswax, the length of the hydrocarbon chains, and any additives mixed into the wax. Most waxes melt between 120-200°F, with paraffin wax on the lower end around 120-130°F and beeswax on the higher end. While wax can become pliable starting around 90°F, most do not completely liquify until 100-105°F or hotter.

When working with wax, it is important to understand its melting properties, especially if you need to keep wax solid or make it liquid. Proper storage is key, keeping wax out of heat if you want it to remain solidified. On the other hand, carefully warming wax above its melting point allows you to reuse old candle wax or mold wax into new shapes. Just remember that temperatures higher than 185°F can start to burn and degrade the wax.

Overall, knowing the melting points of the specific wax you are using, whether in candle-making, cosmetics, art, or other applications, helps ensure you are handling the wax properly. A few degrees under or over the melting point makes a big difference in the physical state and workability of wax.