Tyler Brooks
Candles have been used for centuries for light, heat, and in religious ceremonies. The wax in a candle is a key component, acting as fuel to keep the candle burning. When a candle is lit, the heat from the flame melts the wax, which then moves up the wick and evaporates, turning into a flammable gas vapor. This vapor then combines with oxygen in the air to form a flame, releasing carbon dioxide and water vapour. The type of wax used in candles has evolved over time, from animal fats to vegetable-based waxes, with paraffin wax being the most commonly used today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To deliver fuel (wax) to the flame |
| Mechanism | Capillary action, conveying ("wicking") the fuel to the flame |
| Material | Braided cotton, wood, asbestos, rush-pith, etc. |
| Stiffness | Provided by stiffeners like fine wire (e.g. copper), paper, or synthetic fibers |
| Diameter | Larger diameter wicks result in a larger flame and faster burning |
| Type | Flat, Square, Twisted, etc. |
| Self-trimming | Modern wicks curve as they char, burning away from the side |
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What You'll Learn
The wax is the candle's fuel
The wax is composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms, known as hydrocarbons, and takes a solid form at room temperature. When a candle is lit, the wax melts and solidifies again when the temperature drops. The wax is the fuel that keeps the combustion process going until it is used up or the heat source is eliminated.
The type of wax used in candles has changed over time and varies according to geography. In ancient times, raw materials readily available from animals, insects, plants, and rocks were used to make wax. For example, the Ancient Egyptians and Romans used tallow rendered from animals. In China, beeswax was used as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). In medieval Europe, beeswax was a luxury item used in church ceremonies and in the homes of the wealthy. By the 18th century, tallow was the typical everyday candle wax used in Europe and the Americas.
Today, paraffin wax is the most commonly used candle wax globally. It is a heavy hydrocarbon derived from petroleum. Other types of wax used in candle-making include beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthesized waxes.
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Wax is a generic term for materials that are solid at room temperature and liquid at higher temperatures
The intense heat of the candle's flame causes the melted wax in the wick to vaporize, turning it into a flammable gas. This gas then reacts with oxygen in the air, causing the vaporized wax to combust and produce a flame. The light and heat from a candle come from the burning of the wax. The combustion process continues as long as there is wax to melt and oxygen is available. The flame also melts the top of the solid wax, which moves upward through the wick to be continually burned, thus maintaining a constant flame.
The chemical composition of all waxes used for candle-making is similar, and all candle waxes burn in the same way. Over the centuries, candle waxes have been developed from a variety of fats, oils, and waxy substances derived from animals, insects, plants, and rocks. The raw materials used to make candle wax have historically depended on what was readily available. For example, tallow, derived from animals, was the typical everyday candle wax used in Europe and the Americas until the 18th century. Spermaceti wax, derived from the head oil of sperm whales, was introduced in the 18th century and remained the primary candle wax until the mid-19th century. Today, paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct, is the most commonly used candle wax globally.
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The wick absorbs the liquid wax and pulls it upward
The wick of a candle is an essential component, just as important as its shape, colour, or fragrance. The wick's primary function is to act as a fuel pump, drawing the liquefied wax up into the flame to burn through a process called capillary action. This is why the wick needs to be made from a naturally absorbent material, such as braided cotton, or have a strong capillary action like glass fibre wicks used in oil lamps. The absorbency allows the wick to draw in and move the liquid wax upward, ensuring a consistent flame.
The size of the wick is critical, as it determines the amount of fuel that reaches the flame. A larger diameter wick will result in a larger flame and a faster-burning candle. Conversely, a wick that is too small may not provide enough fuel, causing the flame to sputter out. Therefore, choosing the right wick size is crucial for achieving a clean and proper burn.
Stiffeners are often used in wicks to keep them upright and rigid, allowing them to stand out of the liquid wax. These stiffeners, made from materials like copper wire, paper, or synthetic fibres, also help conduct heat downward, aiding in melting the wax. Historically, lead was used as a stiffener, but it has been banned in the US due to concerns about lead poisoning.
The quality of the wick also plays a role in the burning process. High-quality wicks are typically braided, plaited, or knitted to encourage a slow and consistent burn. Twisted wicks, on the other hand, tend to burn faster due to their loose construction, allowing more fuel to quickly reach the flame. Flat wicks, often found in taper and pillar candles, are designed to curl back into the flame, making them self-trimming and consistent in their burning.
The type of wax also influences wick choice. For example, wooden wicks are recommended for natural waxes like soy and are known for creating a unique crackling sound when burned. Ultimately, the wick's role in absorbing and transporting the liquid wax upward is what enables the candle to burn efficiently, making it a crucial element in candle design.
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The wax and wick work together
The wax and wick of a candle work together to create a self-sustaining combustion process. The wick, a piece of absorbent string or cord, draws the liquid wax upwards through capillary action. The wick's capillarity, or ability to transmit liquid through narrow spaces, determines the rate at which the melted wax is conveyed to the flame.
When the wick is lit, the flame's high heat melts the wax at the base of the wick, turning it into a liquid. The wick then draws this liquid wax up into the flame. The intense heat of the flame causes the wax to vaporize and ignite, forming a teardrop-shaped flame. This flame then melts the top of the mass of solid wax, which moves upward through the wick to be continually burnt, thereby maintaining a constant flame.
The combustion process continues as long as there is wax and oxygen available. The heat created by the flame radiates back and melts more wax to keep the process going. The wax is the candle's fuel, and the heat and light from a candle come from the burning of the wax. The wick also burns, but it is the wax that contributes most of the heat.
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Wax is composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms
The wax in a candle is a solid fuel that melts when a candle is lit, igniting and vaporizing to combine with oxygen in the air to form a flame. The flame then melts the top of the wax, which moves up through the wick to be continually burned, thus maintaining a constant flame. The candle shortens as the wax is consumed, and the wick shortens as well.
Over the centuries, candle waxes have been developed from a variety of fats, oils, and waxy substances derived from animals, insects, plants, and rocks. Scientists consider "wax" to be a generic term for classifying materials that are solid at room temperature and liquid at higher temperatures. Waxes are widely used throughout the world for applications such as packaging, coatings, cosmetics, foods, adhesives, inks, castings, crayons, chewing gum, and polishes.
The development of new waxes for candles has historically depended on the availability of raw materials and the ease and economy of processing these materials into a wax suitable for candle-making. For example, tallow was the typical everyday candle wax used in Europe and the Americas until the 18th century when the whaling industry stimulated the development of spermaceti wax, a clean-burning, low-odor wax derived from the head oil of the sperm whale. In the mid-1800s, stearin wax and paraffin wax were developed, with paraffin wax becoming the standard candle wax in the Western Hemisphere. Today, paraffin is the most commonly used candle wax worldwide, with beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthesized waxes also being used in candle-making.
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Frequently asked questions
The wax in a candle is the candle's fuel. When a candle is lit, the heat from the flame melts the wax, which then moves up the wick through capillary action and evaporates. The wax vapour then combines with oxygen in the air to form a flame.
Wax is made of hydrogen and carbon atoms, called hydrocarbons.
When the wax burns, it combines with oxygen to become carbon dioxide and water vapour.
Paraffin wax is the most commonly used candle wax today. However, other types of wax such as beeswax, soy wax, and palm wax are also used.
The wick of a candle is made of absorbent materials like cotton. It absorbs the liquid wax and pulls it upwards through capillary action, where the wax then evaporates and combusts into a flame.
