What Are The Diverse Types Of Candles And What Are Those Made Up Of?

Candles are obviously made mainly of wax, but there are a lot of different sorts of wax available. Each wax type has its own attributes and advantages, and each has a very slightly different appearance and stability. Most candles on the market at present are made of paraffin, which is a petroleum byproduct. However when paraffin candles are burnt they give off hazardous toxins. These days a new candle wax is becoming well-known and that is soy candles. Scented soy candles when used do not discharge dangerous toxins. Soy wax and paraffin wax can be prepared in many distinct consistencies, including a soft wax for pot candles and harder waxes for hurricane candles. Most candles fall somewhere midway, with a mid-density paraffin that can be applied in molded candles of all varieties. It can also be used for taper candles, although there is also a special formula specifically for tapers.

Other forms of wax include soy wax, as mentioned earlier, bees wax as well as a new unique palm wax. All of these forms are celebrated as being more natural, and are better for the surroundings. Soy wax, made from soy beans, is a clean-burning wax with the same consistency to the mid-range paraffin waxes. Bees wax is a softer wax, and is prized for its flexibility. Beeswax is often formed into sheets with a honeycomb design. Someone purchasing these sheets can then make an instant taper candle by wrapping the soft sheet around a wick and pressing it firmly. One drawback of beeswax however is that it is very pricey. As you can notice, soy candles are your best alternative to paraffin wax candles.

Candle wicks come in different sizes that represent the diameter of the candle. Bigger candles, often candles over six inches in size, need more than one wick. Wicks are made of cotton treated with chemicals that slows down their burn rate. A wick may consist of only the treated cotton, or it may have a stiff core to allow it to stay straighter as it burns. The cores are normally made of either a hardened piece of cotton, a tightly rolled strip of paper, or zinc. Lead candle wicks are not any longer made because of the health hazards with lead.

Candle wax is treated with different chemicals to give it the color, stiffness and smell desired. Color usually is available in pigment blocks that can be dissolved into the wax. Fragrance is available in either liquid or solid block form. To produce stiffer candles, Stearine or Vybar is often mixed to increase the burning spell of the candle. Additional effects can be created with other additives that can make the wax dappled, translucent or give it a snowflake pattern. Changing the wax's additive recipe can greatly change the look of the wax, providing candles the wide range of colors and effects that are there on the market now.

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