Candle fuel is often called candle “wax”, but only some of the fuels that are used nowadays actually are waxes, like paraffin wax or beeswax for example.
Scientists consider “wax” to be a generic term for classifying materials that have the following characteristics:
- Solid at room temperature; liquid at higher temperatures
- Primarily hydrocarbon in structure
- Primarily hydrocarbon in structure
- Water repellent; insoluble in water
- Smooth texture; buffable under slight pressure
- Low toxicity; low reactivity
Waxes are widely used throughout the world for a range of applications, including packaging, coatings, cosmetics, foods, adhesives, inks, castings, crayons, chewing gum, polishes and – of course – candles.
