mizbizzyb Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 Can someone tell me what additive to put in straight parrafin wax to soften it up for containers? And what does stearic do to wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topofmurrayhill Posted October 26, 2005 Share Posted October 26, 2005 For containers of any appreciable size, you may be best off starting with a soft low MP scale wax as your base. That would be something like IGI 2281, or the CF from Candlewic is the same sort of thing.Normally what is used for softening container wax is petrolatum, which is a crude form of petroleum jelly. Much as I am an additive geek, I have always shied away from making petrolatum candles so I don't have any expertise in using it. However, that's what's in all the soft gunky container pre-blends that makes them so greasy.As for what stearic does, the answer is everything. Stearic is the true universal additive and most others are simply stearic replacements that might have a slightly more desirable balance of properties for a particular application. Stearic acid hardens the wax, improves the burning properties, increases FO retention, increases opacity, improves surface finish, and eliminates mottling. It can raise or lower the melting point depending on what kind of wax you add it to and how much you put in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mizbizzyb Posted October 26, 2005 Author Share Posted October 26, 2005 Thanks Top! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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