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What Are The Different Forms Of Candles And What Are Those Made From?
Candles are of course made mainly of wax, but there are many different types of wax available. Each wax type possesses its own features and advantages, and each has a very slightly different appearance and consistency. Most candles on the market at present are made of paraffin, which is a petroleum derivative. However when paraffin candles are burned they give off hazardous toxins. Today a new candle wax is becoming popular and that is soy candles. Scented soy candles when glowed do not discharge hazardous toxins. Soy wax and paraffin wax can be made in many different consistencies, including a soft wax for container candles and harder waxes for hurricane candles. Many candles fall somewhere midway, with a mid-density paraffin that can be utilized in molded candles of all varieties. It can also be used for taper candles, although there is also a distinctive formula specifically for tapers.
Other forms of wax include soy wax, as pointed out earlier, bees wax and also a new unique palm wax. All of these kinds are celebrated as being more natural, and are better for the atmosphere. Soy wax, made from soy beans, is a clean-burning wax with an equivalent consistency to the mid-range paraffin waxes. Bees wax is a more gentle wax, and is prized for its flexibility. Beeswax is often shaped into sheets with a honeycomb model. Someone purchasing these sheets can then make a quick taper candle by wrapping the malleable sheet around a wick and pressing it strongly. One drawback of beeswax however is that it is very expensive. As you can see, soy candles are your best option to paraffin wax candles.
Candle wicks come in different sizes that stand for the diameter of the candle. Larger candles, often candles above six inches in diameter, need more than one wick. Wicks are made of cotton treated with chemical substances that slows down their burn rate. A wick may consist of only the treated cotton, or it may have a stiff core to enable it to remain straighter as it burns. The cores are normally made of either a stiffened piece of cotton, a tightly rolled band of paper, or zinc. Lead candle wicks are not anymore made because of the health dangers connected with lead.
Candle wax is treated with several chemicals to give it the color, stiffness and fragrance desired. Color usually is obtained in pigment blocks that can be melted into the wax. Fragrance comes in either liquid or solid block form. To produce firmer candles, Stearine or Vybar is often mixed to increase the burning time of the candle. Additional effects can be produced with other additives that can make the wax mottled, translucent or give it a snowflake design. Changing the wax's additive treatment can greatly change the look of the wax, presenting candles the wide range of colors and effects that are there on the market today.
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