Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Introduction
Candles are made from many different products, but predominantly paraffin wax is the
most common candle material. Paraffin wax was originally called petroleum wax when it was
discovered in 1830 as a petroleum by-product created from the sludge waste found at the bottom
of the barrel when crude oil is refined into gasoline. Its use was restricted for about two decades
after it’s discovery, due to it’s toxic nature when burned.
However, in the 1850s, chemists learned how to efficiently separate the naturally occurring
waxy substance from petroleum and “refine it” into what they now called paraffin – at that point
declaring it safe to burn and be used as candles.
Paraffin wax is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid, with a typical
melting point between about 46 and 68 °C (115 and 154 °F), its boiling point is >370 °C (698 °F),
and a density of around 900 kg/m3. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and
certain esters. Paraffin is unaffected by most common chemical reagents but burns readily. Of all
other wax, paraffin wax is the cheapest. These properties of paraffin wax make it suitable for it to
be used in candle making.
The objective of this experiment is to be able to handle wax, specifically paraffin wax,
and transform it into a useful product which is a candle. It also aims to know how a candle is
processed and test if the candle produced functions like those commercial candles.
Methodology
In this experiment, a candle must be produced from the available materials. These raw
materials are paraffin wax flakes, pre-waxed candle wicks, containers for candles, non-toxic
crayon, essential oils BBQ skewers, and glass jars. The equipment and apparatus needed are hot
plate, top-loading balance, 250 mL beaker, 1000 mL beaker, metal spatula and grater.
First, an amount of paraffin wax in pellets was measured in the top-loading balance.
Additional wax from a candle was used as fillers. The candle was grated to obtain wax flakes. The
resulting flakes was weighed and was combined after with the paraffin wax pellets in a 1000 mL
beaker. The total weight of the wax mixture was also determined. Then, the wax was heated using
a hot plate. The temperature was regulated as no to burn the wax easily. It was also being stirred
while melting. After the wax has been melted, a milky white liquid was produced. The melted wax
was divided equally into three beakers. Three different crayons of small amounts were weighed.
The weighed crayons were added in each beaker having different color per beaker. It was melted
and being stirred along with the wax. After getting different colors of wax, the wax was removed
in the hot plate. To have a fragrant candle, 10 drops of essential oil were added and stirred in the
wax. The candlewicks was set up. The candle wick was put into the container or the molder. It was
ensured that the metal piece was laid at the bottom and was positioned at the center. A BBQ skewer
was used to hold up the wicks on top. After this, the fragranced wax was put into the container.
The first color of wax was cooled first before adding the next color. The resulting candle is a three-
layered candle with three different colors.
In creating the candle, the following materials are used: paraffin wax flakes, pre-waxed
candle wicks, commercial candles, containers for candles, non-toxic crayons, essential oils BBQ
skewers, and glass jars. The amount of materials used and its percentage are shown in Table 1.
References
[1] Bayquen, C. (2007). Industrial chemical processes (Book 2). Manila, Philippines: University
of Santo Tomas Publishing House.
[2] Freund,M (1982) Parffin Products Properties, Technologies, Applications. Development in
Petroleum Science. Vol 14, pp 3-335
[3] Are Your Candles Toxic? A Closer Look at Paraffin Wax. Retrieved from http://domestic
geekgirl.com/health-home/candles-toxic-closer-look-paraffin-wax/
[4] Candle Smoking? Retrieved from http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/blog/candle-
smoking/
[5] Candles are Labeled for Fire Safety. Retrieved from http://candles.org/fire-safety-
candles/read-the-label/
[6] Candles Quality Assurance. Retrieved from http://www.guetezeichen-kerzen.de/RAL-
GZ041_guetezeichen-kerzen_en.pdf