CANDLE: Light it up!

CANDLE : Light it up!

Is candle really related to organic chemistry? READ THIS and you will know the answer!

Introduction

A candle is a solid block of wax with embedded wick inside the solid wax. For general, candles are mainly used to provide light and heat. For a candle to burn, firstly light the wick of the candle with a heat source. For all we know, the wax will melt once the candle has been lighted. When the wax melts and vaporizes, it combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to ignite and furthermore form a constant flame. Thus, the product from this combustion will be water, H₂O and carbon dioxide, CO₂.

History

Historians believe that the original candle may have been invented by primitive men who dipped dried branches in animal fat, thus producing a slow-burning and reliable source of light. These early candles were most likely developed from tapers that were made of fibrous materials mixed with wax or tallow (the white, nearly tasteless fat of cattle or sheep that was also used to make soap, margarine, and lubricants). As far back as 3000 B.C. , dish-shaped candles were used on the island of Crete. 

   Generally, candles have been used as a light source and to illuminate man’s celebrations for more than 5000 years. It is often written that the early candles were developed from the ancient Egyptian in which the candles were most likely developed from tapers that were made of fibrous materials mixed with wax or tallow (the white, nearly tasteless fat of cattle or sheep that was also used to make soap, margarine, and lubricants) and the candles during that time had no wick. As far back as 3000 B.C., dish-shaped candles were used on the island of Crete. 

   Moreover, wicked candles were used by Egyptians in 3000 B.C. However, the ancient Romans developed wicked candles before that time by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. In China, the candles are molded in paper tubes, rolled rice paper as wick and wax from an indigenous insect combined with seeds. In Japan, candles are made of wax extracted from tree nuts while in India, candle wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. 

   Although the materials that comprise a candle have changed through the years, the art of candle making has remained surprisingly similar to the original production processes. Candle wicks were, at first, made of reeds or rushes while eventually, various natural fibers were used.

Composition

I would like to say that there are really some major differences among the various types of candles wax. Like all things that come in a wide variety of types, each wax has its own advantages and disadvantages.  Each of it has some uses it's fantastic for and opposite to humans or surroundings. So, let's look at different types of candle wax that make up those wonderful candles!

1.   Paraffin wax

Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product created when crude oil is refined into gasoline. It is a white or an odorless solid. In organic chemistry, paraffin is used synonymously with alkane, indicating saturated hydrocarbon with general formula of C_nH_2n+2. Specifically, ‘paraffin wax’ is the term used to describe paraffin chain of length varying from C₁₆ to C₄₀.

  Paraffin also labeled as having a low melting point that melts at a lower temperature compared to other types of paraffin. It has a melting point ranging from 120 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This grade of paraffin is very soft and is suitable for making candles in containers.

  Paraffin candles are the cheapest candles. However, carcinogens such as benzene, C₆H₆ and toluene, C₇H₈ are released into the atmosphere as paraffin candles burn. Besides, incomplete combustion of carbon particles in paraffin are released into the atmosphere in the form of soot and thus caused air pollution. Also, paraffin wax is not biodegradable.

2.  Beeswax

Beeswax is a popular natural form of wax. Many people like beeswax because it's naturally sweet scented, virtually smokeless, and it burns very slowly. It consists of at least 284 different compounds, mainly a variety of long-chain alkanes, acids, esters, polyesters and hydroxyl esters. 

   These include hexacosanoic acid [CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH], ester of cerotic acid and triacontanol (CH₃(CH₂)₂₉OH), myricin (myricylpalmitate, CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COO(CH₂)₁₂CH₃), and hentriacontane [CH₃(CH₂)₂₉CH₃]. Hentriacontane comprises 8-9% of beeswax, its stability and impermeability to water contribute to its role as a structural component. 

   The melting point of beeswax is approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Since it is a natural product produced in the bee hive of honeybees of the genus Apis., it can be very expensive. Pure beeswax is sticky, so this type of wax is best suited for candles that aren't molded.

  Beeswax candles are the healthier choice than paraffin candles. Beeswax candles burn cleaner, longer time and give out pleasant natural fragrance when the candles burn.

3.Soy Wax

Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans. After harvesting, the beans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled and rolled into flakes. The oil is then extracted from the flakes and hydrogenated. This type of candles are fast gaining popularity.

  The main step in making soy wax is hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is the process whereby the polysaturated and monounsaturated oils are solidified in order to increase the viscosity. For instance, the key unsaturated fatty acids present in this oil are alpha-linolenic acid (C₁₈H₃₀O₂) , oleic acid (C₁₈H₃₄O₂) and linoleic acid (C₁₈H₃₂O₂).The major saturated fatty acids found in this oil are stearic acid (C₁₈H₃₆O₂) and palmitic acid (C₁₆H₃₂O₂).

 This is done by the reaction of hydrogen with the oil at elevated temperature (140-225°C) in the presence of a nickel catalyst. This process dramatically alters the melting point of the oil, making it a solid at room temperature. In its raw state, soy wax does not hold dyes, fragrance or other waxes, so other chemically derived additives are added to increase the solubility of the wax with the scents and dyes to enhance its fragrance and color. Generally, the melting point of soy wax ranges from 120 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the blend.  In addition to sustainability, a well-made soy candle will burn cleanly and slowly, much to the delight of candle's lovers!

   So, if you are a purist at heart you will need to be satisfied with pastel candles and a limited range of fragrances. Soy wax candles are also known to contain some allergens that some people are allergic to.

4.Bayberry Wax

Bayberry wax is made from the berries of the Bayberry bush, a fine green fragranced wax coats the berries of the bush. It takes approximately 15 pounds of bayberries to yield one pound of wax which makes it a very expensive wax. As the plant only grows in a limited area, the wax is consider hard to obtain.

 Chemically, bayberry wax is a fat consisting of stearin(C₅₇H₁₁₀O₆), palmitin (C₁₆H₃₂O₂), myristicin (C₁₁H₁₂O₃) and olein (C₅₇H₁₀₄O₆). It saponifies readily with alkaline solutions. It is a long process to boil and extract the wax. The melting point of bayberry wax is about 118 degrees Fahrenheit.

   Therefore, bayberry wax candle gives off a beautiful distinctive aroma when burnt. In some households, bayberry candles are traditionally burned during Christmas and New Year. However, bayberry wax is very hard and brittle. It can be used on it’s own but many candle makers blend it with beeswax to make it less breakable. 

5.  Palm wax

Palm wax which is also knowm as Carnauba wax or Brazil wax is made from the palm oil which comes from the fruit berries of the palm tree. Palm wax is solid and hard. It is also known as a "virgin" oil because it is obtained just by steaming and pressing the palm fruit.

  Palm wax consists mostly of aliphatic esters, diesters of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (C₉H₈O₃), ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids and fatty acid alcohols It has a high melting point and so is great for  tropical climates. It melts slowly and gives a longer burning time than paraffin wax or other vegetable waxes.

   Moreover, it is harder such that it can be extracted and added to enhance the hardness of soy wax candles. Palm wax has a fabulous ability to absorb and mix well with fragrance or essential oil in high concentration and so you get highly scented candles. It keeps its fragrance much longer than paraffin wax candles.

   On the contrary, palm wax candles can be hard and brittle and therefore cost higher compared to soy wax candles and paraffin wax candles.

Manufacturing Process

1.Making the wick

The cotton wicks are braided and treated with inorganic salt solution in order to ensure the wicks are able to bend at a 90 degree angle when burning. The angle allows the end of wicks can remain at the outer mantle of the flame and become shorter naturally.

2.Preparing the wax base

The wax is heated and melted in metal kettles. Then, the molten wax is filtered to remove impurities that formed during the burning process. Perfumes and dyes are added at this time.

3.Molding the candle

The wick is pulled through the tip of the mold before the pouring of wax. The wax then is cooled to slightly above its melting point and poured into a molding table. The molds are pre-heated so the wax will flow evenly into them.

4.Cooling the wax

The jacket around each mold is filled with cold water to speed up the solidification process. Once the wax is solidified, the candles are pulled upwards out of the molds. Preparation for the next load of candles are ready and the candles are done! 

~Last but not least~

We know that most of the candle making projects will require the use of wax additives. Certain additives may change the temperature, clarity, color and scent of the wax. With this in mind, carefully choose wax and any necessary additives to give your finished candles the best overall burning quality and appearance!