Wax

Wax is a class of chemical compounds that are plastic (malleable) near ambient temperatures. They are also a type of lipid. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents. All waxes are organic compounds, both synthetic and naturally occurring.

Characteristics

Waxes are similar to fats and oils. However, unlike fats and oils, waxes are not glycerides. Natural waxes of different types are produced by plants and animals and occur in petroleum.

Plant waxes

Plants secrete waxes into and on the surface of their cuticles as a way to control evaporation, wettability and hydration. The epicuticular waxes of plants are mixtures of substituted long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, containing alkanes, fatty acids, alcohols, diols, ketones, aldehydes.

Animal waxes

The best-known animal wax is beeswax used in constructing the honeycombs of honeybees, but other insects secrete waxes. A major component of the beeswax is myricyl palmitate which is an ester of triacontanol and palmitic acid. Its melting point is 62-65 °C.

Petroleum derived waxes

The composition of these waxes is complex and depends on the oil deposit. The main constituents are usually long chain alkanes (paraffins) then olefins, aromatic hydrocarbons and naphthenes. The degree of branching has an important influence on the properties.

Uses

Waxes are used in a variety of applications, from everyday household items to intricate industrial processes. Common uses for waxes include crayons, candles, polishes, electrical insulators, and for modeling. Waxes are also used in the food industry, for coating wooden cutlery, or to waterproof cardboard and paper.

See also

• Beeswax
• Carnauba wax
• Paraffin wax
• Candle
• Lipid

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