Ben Carter
Stearic acid is a popular additive used in candle-making to improve the quality of the final product. It is a type of saturated fatty acid that is solid at room temperature and helps make the wax harder and more stable when melted. This results in a slower-burning candle with a longer-lasting flame and reduced dripping. When adding stearic acid to soy candles, it is important to consider the amount used and the temperature of the wax. Stirring stearic acid into cold wax flakes or pastilles is recommended, as adding it to hot wax can cause clumping. While stearic acid can enhance the strength and stability of soy wax, it may also require adjustments to the wick size due to its impact on the melting point of the wax. Experimentation and testing are often necessary to determine the optimal amount of stearic acid and to avoid potential issues.
When to add stearic acid to soy candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal time to add stearic acid | When you put in the wax |
| Best way to add it | Stir it in with wax flakes or pastilles while the wax is cold |
| What happens if you add it to hot wax? | It clumps up like cocoa powder in milk, making it take longer to melt |
| What does it do to the candle? | Raises the melting point of the wax, requiring more heat to develop a full melt pool |
| What does it do to the wick? | Requires a larger wick and more fuel |
| What does it do to the melt pool? | Makes it hotter and improves the hot throw |
| Does it prolong burn time? | No, unless the candle is already over-wicked |
| Does it improve appearance? | Yes |
| Does it improve scent? | Yes, the candle can hold more scent |
| Does it reduce dripping? | Yes |
| Does it make the wax harder? | Yes |
| Does it make the candle burn slower? | Yes |
| Does it make the candle last longer? | Yes |
| Does it improve texture? | Yes |
| Does it make the tops of candles smoother? | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Stearic acid prolongs burn time
Stearic acid is a fatty acid commonly used in candle-making to improve the quality and performance of candles. It is a versatile additive that can enhance the candle's burn time, appearance, and scent.
When added to soy candles, stearic acid can prolong the burn time by improving the structure of the wax. It increases the hardness of the wax, making it more stable and slowing down the burning process. This results in a longer-lasting candle that holds its shape even at higher temperatures.
The amount of stearic acid added to soy wax can range from 3% to 10% by weight. It is important to add it during the initial melting stage of the wax to ensure proper integration. Adding stearic acid raises the melting point of the wax, requiring more heat to form a full melt pool. Therefore, a larger wick size may be necessary to achieve a complete melt.
However, some candle makers have found that adding stearic acid did not require them to adjust the wick size. This could be due to the small amount added or the specific characteristics of their candles. It is recommended to experiment and test different amounts of stearic acid to find the optimal ratio for your soy candles.
In addition to prolonging burn time, stearic acid offers other benefits to soy candles. It improves the fragrance retention of the wax, allowing it to hold and release scents more effectively. It also enhances the opacity of the wax, making the candle appear whiter and brighter. Stearic acid also aids in demolding, making it easier to remove the candle from its mould without causing cracks or damage.
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It makes the hot throw stronger
Stearic acid is a fatty acid that is frequently used in candle-making. It is a common additive in many off-the-shelf candles and is used to improve burn quality. It is a type of saturated fatty acid that is solid at room temperature and is also used in cosmetic and personal care products, as well as in food production.
When added to soy candles, stearic acid can make the hot throw stronger. This is because stearic acid raises the melting point of the wax. As a result, the wax requires more heat to develop a full melt pool, but this melt pool is hotter and thus has a stronger hot throw. However, it is important to note that this also means a larger wick is required, which will increase the amount of fuel needed.
Some candle makers recommend adding stearic acid when the soy wax is placed in the melting container. It can be stirred into the wax while it is cold, but it tends to clump up when added to hot wax, making it take longer to melt. It is also important to do a wick test when using stearic acid, as the size of the wick may need to be increased.
While stearic acid can improve the hot throw of soy candles, it can also cause some issues. It has a higher melting point than soy wax, which can make wicking unpredictable. Additionally, it increases shrinkage and reduces jar adhesion. As such, it is recommended to have experience working with stearic acid before incorporating it into candle-making.
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It increases wax hardness
Stearic acid is a type of saturated fatty acid that is solid at room temperature. It is frequently used in candle-making because it increases wax hardness, making the candle slower-burning and longer-lasting. It also helps the candle hold its shape when exposed to high temperatures, which is especially important for free-standing candles such as pillars.
When creating soy candles, stearic acid can be added at the beginning of the process when the soy wax is placed in the melting pot or container. It can be stirred in with wax flakes or pastilles while the wax is cold, as adding it to hot wax can cause clumping. The amount of stearic acid added depends on the desired fragrance load. A general rule of thumb is to use an amount of stearic acid equal to the fragrance load minus 10%. For example, if using a 15% fragrance load, you would add 5% stearic acid.
The addition of stearic acid raises the melting point of the wax, requiring more heat and a larger wick to achieve a full melt pool. This higher melting point can make wicking more challenging and may not be suitable for container candles. However, the melt pool is hotter, resulting in a stronger hot throw and potentially improved fragrance strength.
While stearic acid can enhance wax hardness and burn quality, it can also cause issues such as increased shrinkage and random wicking behaviour. Therefore, it is important to test and experiment with different amounts and wick sizes when using stearic acid in soy candles to achieve the desired results.
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It can be stirred into cold wax
Adding stearic acid to soy candles can be done by stirring it into cold wax. This method is recommended when working with wax flakes or pastilles. When added to hot wax, stearic acid tends to clump up, making it take longer to melt.
Stearic acid is a type of saturated fatty acid that is solid at room temperature. It is commonly used in candle-making to increase the hardness of the wax, improve burn quality, and enhance the candle's appearance. Its ability to raise the melting point of the wax results in a slower-burning candle that can hold more scent and last longer.
However, it's important to note that stearic acid can cause as many problems as it solves. It has a lower viscosity when melted, and its higher melting point can make wicking unpredictable. Additionally, while it can improve burn time under certain conditions, it typically requires a larger wick and more fuel to achieve a full melt pool.
When adding stearic acid to soy candles, experimentation is often required to determine the ideal amount. In paraffin candles, it is commonly used at a concentration of 10%. However, in soy candles, a lower concentration is typically used, although there is no clear consensus on the exact amount. Some candle makers use it in small amounts to improve the texture and create smoother candle tops without altering the wick size.
Overall, while stearic acid can provide benefits to soy candles, it is important to test and adjust its usage to find the optimal results for your specific candle-making process.
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It helps create smooth candle tops
Stearic acid is a common ingredient in many types of candles, and it can be used to improve the quality of soy candles. It is a naturally derived fatty acid usually derived from soybean oil or animal tallow.
Soy waxes' chemical makeup consists of over 80% stearic acid. It is a key ingredient that allows soy waxes to form a strong enough bond to hold the scent, colouring, and other additives in place for burning candles. It helps to minimize shrinkage as the candle cools, giving the wax a richer texture and creating a smooth top.
When adding stearic acid to soy candles, it is recommended to add around 1% by weight of soy wax flakes or 2 tablespoons per pound of soy wax flakes at the very beginning of the candle-making process. This works out to be approximately 3-5% of the candle mixture, or 1 part stearic acid to 20 parts wax.
One candle maker notes that they add a small amount of stearic acid to their wax, which improves the texture and makes smooth tops more likely. They also note that they have not had to alter the wick size, possibly due to the small amount added.
It is important to note that stearic acid has a higher melting point than many other waxes, so it requires more heat and a larger wick to develop a full melt pool. This can cause issues with wicking, so it is important to be mindful of the amount of stearic acid added and to test the candles to ensure optimal burning.
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Frequently asked questions
Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid that is solid at room temperature and frequently used in candle-making to increase the hardness of the wax.
Stearic acid helps soy candles burn slower, hold more scent, and last longer. It also helps to reduce dripping, creating a longer-lasting flame.
You can add stearic acid when you put in the wax. If you are using wax flakes or pastilles, you can stir it in while the wax is cold.
Stearic acid has a lower viscosity when melted and a higher melting point than many waxes, which can make wicking unpredictable. It also requires more heat to develop a full melt pool.
The amount of stearic acid to add depends on the amount of fragrance oil (FO) used. A rule of thumb is to use an equal amount of stearic acid for every percent of FO used above the recommended amount. For example, if you're using 15% FO, you can add 5% stearic acid.
