Wax is an exclusively natural product. Paraffin can be either a natural or an artificial product synthesized from petroleum.
Definition
Wax- a substance common in nature. Waxes are solid mixtures of esters that form higher high-molecular alcohols and higher fatty acids. There are animal waxes: beeswax, wool (lanolin), spermaceti. Lanolin protects animal skin and fur from clogging, moisture and drying out. Spermaceti is extracted from the spermaceti oil produced by sperm whales.
Plant waxes twitch a thin coating on fruits, stems and leaves. The wax coating protects them from drying out, soaking, and exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. Ozokerite is a fossil wax consisting mainly of saturated hydrocarbons.
Paraffin is a wax-like mixture formed by saturated hydrocarbons. Paraffins are inert towards many chemicals. They are oxidized by air oxygen and nitric acid, resulting in fatty acids that are similar to fatty acids that are components of plant and animal fats. Fatty acids obtained by oxidation of paraffins are used in the perfume industry to produce detergents and so on household chemicals.
Comparison
The wax does not burn, it only melts to form large drops. Paraffin, on the contrary, burns completely. When paraffin burns, soot is released. Wax, when burned, does not leave soot stains.
Candles are found in both paraffin and wax
Wax is usually yellow-brown in color, while paraffin white, unless dyes are added to it. Wax at long-term storage covered with a whitish coating. Paraffin crumbles when cut, but wax does not; it is cut off in solid pieces.
Natural wax has the ability to cause allergies. Pure paraffin practically does not cause allergic reactions.
Conclusions website
- Wax, like plasticine, is a very soft, flexible and plastic material. Paraffin has the inherent property of crumbling when cut.
- Natural wax is a natural product. Paraffin is a synthetic material made from petroleum products.
- Paraffin burns completely, releasing soot, wax only melts and never smokes.
Today, candles are not used as often as they once were. In our lives, with their help, people create a romantic atmosphere, scent the air, or simply use them as a decorative element.
But many experts argue that scented candles are very harmful to humans and should not be used very often. They release into the air large number toxins, so people may experience health problems.
What to do? Choose paraffin or wax candles, how do they differ?
Paraffin candles - harm and benefit
Paraffin candles When burned, toxic compounds are released into the air - toluene and benzene. Benzene is used in industry. Many different products are produced based on it: rubber, plastics, synthetic rubber, paints, explosives, fabric dyes and some medications.
Benzene enters the human body through the respiratory tract. This is how people suffer from weakness, sleep disturbances and dizziness. Also, if a person inhales such a harmful substance for several years, then his liver and kidneys may work poorly, diseases of the blood and bone marrow may develop, and the functions of the circulatory and nervous systems may be disrupted. In addition, acute poisoning is possible.
Toluene - an aromatic compound from which benzene is obtained. Toluene, like benzene, enters the human body through the respiratory system, and sometimes through the skin. In most cases it affects the nervous and circulatory system.
It is worth understanding that paraffin candles They are quite harmful to the human body, so they need to be used several times a month. There is no need to get too carried away with these candles.
If you want to create a pleasant smell in your apartment or just lie in the bath with candles, then don’t delay this matter. A few minutes will be enough and this way you can protect yourself.
Wax candles - harm and benefit
Wax candles completely made from natural substances, they will not cause harm to health, even when they burn huge amount. In the old days, church candles consisted of beeswax; they burned evenly and did not emit harmful substances into the air.
Nowadays, aromatic candles made from wax with propolis are gradually being replaced. These candles are not harmful to the body, but on the contrary, they are beneficial.
Such candles are often used for creating a romantic atmosphere, to relieve stress, or during epidemics. The price for them will be more expensive than for paraffin candles.
Today, soy wax is gaining popularity - it is 100% safe, cheaper than beeswax, and does not contain chemicals. Soy wax candles can be easily recycled or tinted.
What is the difference between a wax candle and a paraffin candle, how to distinguish them?
A person can already visually distinguish these types of candles. Wax products are made from a yellow tint, while paraffin products are made from a white or translucent color.
- If you cut paraffin, it will crumble, but wax cuts evenly and easily.
- Wax candles do not leave a black residue.
- If you bend a candle, the paraffin candle will fall apart, and the wax candle will only change its shape.
- When a wax candle burns, the aroma can be honey-like, while paraffin candles give off a pungent odor.
Wax candles - video
When purchasing candles, it is better to verify their origin in order to protect yourself from harmful counterfeits. Nowadays, paraffin candles are very often made to reduce production costs and simplify the process itself. But paraffin is a chemical product and cannot be called harmless, unlike natural wax, from which high-quality wax candles are made.
Paraffin candles
Paraffin is a synthetic substance that is obtained from petroleum and a mixture of hydrocarbons. To produce paraffin candles, the following is added to the substance:
- chemical wax substitutes;
- fragrances;
- other non-natural components.
Because of this composition, paraffin candles are harmful to health. When burned, they release benzene and toluene into the air, which do not have time to burn due to the low combustion temperature. The entry of benzene into the human body is fraught with sleep disturbances, weakness and dizziness. When regularly entering the body through the respiratory tract, the functioning of the kidneys, liver, nervous and circulatory systems is disrupted, and diseases of the blood and bone marrow begin to develop. When inhaled, toluene also immediately affects the nervous system, and then reaches the bloodstream.
Wax candles
Wax is a waste product of bees, produced by their glands to build cellular cells. The production of wax candles does not require the addition of any unnatural components, and therefore does not cause harm to health. Such candles burn smoothly, do not emit any harmful substances into the air and do not smoke.
We purchased candles from various churches and a honey store and conducted an experiment to see which candles were truly wax.
It’s very unfortunate to come across 100% wax candles these days. good quality extremely difficult. All over the world, preference is given to paraffin candles; they are cheap, but this is where all the advantages of paraffin candles end.
Paraffin is a petroleum derivative; in addition to paraffin, the candle contains a large set of chemical wax substitutes, stearin and fragrances. When burned, such candles release toxic substances, and paraffin itself is a carcinogen when burned. Now think about what the candles we like to light on birthday cakes are made of? But they drip into the cake when it burns.
Candles made from real raw beeswax are not only safe, but also healthy! Such candles include propolis, which gives special smell candles and when burning, evaporating, cleans and disinfects the air in the room and has a beneficial effect on the entire human body.
How can you tell wax candles from paraffin candles?
Participants in the experiment:
1. Control candle - a candle made by hand by the owner of the Old Believer Church from raw apiary wax of our bees in Russian Taurus. (Read in the previous article making our wax candles)
2. Factory-made wax candle from purified wax, purchased in the church on the 1905 square.
3. Half-wax candle from the church on the square in 1905 (The percentage of wax content in the candles turned out to be low).
4. A “wax” candle from a honey store, as it turned out in the experiment, is paraffin with other wax substitutes and fragrance.
5. Festive paraffin candle from the church on Goncharny Lane.
6. A Jerusalem candle, burned by holy fire, bought in the same church, turned out to be 100% paraffin.
The experiment showed:
1) By smell:
1. Our raw wax candle has a distinct natural wax aroma that is noticeable when the candle is held to your nose.
2. The factory candle has a very faint waxy smell, practically no smell, since it is made from purified wax, from which all the impurities that give such a unique aroma to our candles have been removed.
3. The semi-wax candle is odorless.
4. “Wax” from a honey store has no smell.
5. Paraffin candle is odorless.
6. Jerusalem paraffin is also odorless.
2) To the touch:
1. Our candle is a little rough, pleasant to the touch, waxy.
2. Factory wax candle is smoother, but also has a natural feel.
3. Semi-waxy is less pleasant to the touch, more like paraffin.
4. “Wax” from a honey store is unpleasant to the touch, also more reminiscent of paraffin
5. and 6. Paraffin to the touch like soap, very unpleasant, greasy.
3) When cutting with a knife:
1. Our candle is easy to cut, like plasticine, and does not crumble when cut.
2. The factory spark plug behaves the same way
3. Semi-wax is a little more difficult to cut, it is harder.
4. “Wax” from a honey store cuts normally.
5. Paraffin is cut in the same way as semi-wax. Apparently, in addition to paraffin, the composition contains other wax substitutes that make the candle closer in properties to wax.
6. The Jerusalem candle behaves like 100% paraffin, crumbles when cut, there is no plasticity.
4. When burning:
1. Our candle burns evenly, does not flow, (does not cry), and melts when burning, forming a drop of wax inside the candle. During the combustion process it periodically crackles. Burns slowly. Gives a very faint waxy smell. The candle is easily placed on a drop of wax on a glass surface.
2. The factory light is also on.
3. Semi-wax burns a little faster.
4. “Wax” from a honey store burns very quickly. It was not possible to place it on the surface; the drop instantly froze, indicating a paraffin origin and greasy to the touch.
5. Paraffin burns quickly, flows, but there is a droplet when melting, which also indicates the presence of other impurities in it besides paraffin. Does not smell when burning. It was also not possible to light the candle.
6. Jerusalema behaves like pure paraffin, burns very quickly, as if evaporating in the air, without forming droplets. Does not smell when burning. It was not possible to light the candle.
5. If you hold glass over the candle flame:
1. Our candle does not produce soot or produces a very slight, barely noticeable darkening of the glass.
2. Factory spark plug also.
3. Semi-wax smokes glass moderately
4. “Wax” from a honey store smokes the glass a lot, it turns black
5. Paraffin one smokes a lot like the previous candle
6. Jerusalem paraffin also produces a lot of soot on the glass.
6. When extinguishing a candle:
1. Our candle gives a natural scent, sometimes pleasantly waxy.
2. Factory also
3. Semi-waxy gives a weak, unpleasant paraffin odor.
4. “Wax” from a honey store gives a strong unpleasant paraffin smell
5. and 6. Even more unpleasant strong odor.
7. Plasticity of the candle:
1. Our candle is very plastic, it bends easily, but does not break or crumble.
2. Factory also
3. Semi-wax also
4. “Wax” from a honey store is quite plastic, but when broken it crumbles
5. Paraffin plastic, indicates other impurities
6. Jerusalem immediately breaks and crumbles, there is no plasticity, indicating 100% paraffin.
You can now buy natural wax candles made from raw wax in Yekaterinburg in our online store.
Sadko 09-08-2004 12:16
Gentlemen! Can anyone tell me why the stocks are impregnated with wax? Is it possible to soak it in paraffin?
beyond 09-08-2004 23:46
There are two assumptions.
As far as I remember, the basis for impregnation is still linseed oil, and wax is added in a small amount.
Sadko 10-08-2004 10:41
quote: Originally posted by beyond:
There are two assumptions.
1. Wax is still a natural preservative and chemically. The composition is very different from paraffin.
2. All modern writers rewrite the works of three or four founders, but in those days paraffin was not yet made.
As far as I remember, the basis for impregnation is still linseed oil, and wax is added in a small amount.
I soaked the butt (oak, I really like its design) first with a German stain (if translated correctly, just based on linseed oil), the instructions said “on a dry, grease-free surface”, three times with polishing with a felt wheel at low speeds. Then melt the paraffin onto a warm surface, 40-60 degrees, and into the oven for 10 minutes at a temperature of 40 degrees. Paraffin does not burn and is completely absorbed. After drying (24 hours), polish with a soft cloth. The result is EXCELLENT! It looks good, and 30 minutes under running water - “like water off a duck’s back”, it doesn’t stick to your hands, it doesn’t stain your clothes, it has a matte (!) shine. I have already impregnated it in this way five times, the tree “takes” all the paraffin provided to it. Each time the butt itself becomes a little darker, nobler, more contrasting and the pattern appears more clearly.
1. How much more paraffin can he be given? I don’t mind paraffin, I wouldn’t spoil it.
2. Will paraffin show itself after some time? I've read that synthetic oils destroy wood.
beyond 10-08-2004 22:00
quote: Originally posted by Sadko:I just have some questions/concerns:
1.How much more paraffin can he be given? I don’t mind paraffin, I wouldn’t spoil it.
2.Will paraffin show itself after some time? I've read that synthetic oils destroy wood.
The fact is that linseed oil crystallizes over time, after which the wood is protected and the oil does not escape back. I don’t know how things work with paraffin. But if you are satisfied with the result, then why not stop?
Glam 11-08-2004 20:19
I first soaked it in oil, and then, just like in the book, I soaked it in wax and turpentine...
tex 17-08-2004 03:07
The thing is that paraffin, unlike natural beeswax, is unsafe in contact with skin. Although it is more accessible and cheaper. Paraffin seems to contain some kind of carcinogens and who knows what else, let the doctors correct it.
And I’m going to polish the bed not only with calloused hands, but also with my neck, my tender neck, in some places.
Loading...
