14 November 2008

Waxes-Stearin(Stearic acid)

Stearin was the first major advancement in candlemaking material and was produced from refined animal tallow(fat) in 1820. Stearin is a hardish white compound used as an additive in paraffin wax to assist in the shrinkage process which improves the ease with which a candle
is removed from a mould.

Stearin improves a candle's burning quality and duration, as well as ads brightness to candles that have been dyed, but this depends on the percentage that is added to the wax. Another great advantage of stearin is that it can be used for overdipping, which creates a very interesting crystalline finish, and it can also be used to make frosting.

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