Welcome All You Candle Lovers and Enjoy Your Stay!
Candle Pixie > Types Of Wax Additives
Types Of Wax Additives
Additives are used to help you make a candle you want because they can change some of the characteristics of waxes. They are used in different purposes and in various amounts. Make your wax harder or softer if necessary and give it the shape and look you had in mind.
Additives also have their melt points and can thus change the melt point of the wax they are added to. So check the label for specific uses and amounts, for they might vary slightly. Few types of additives you have to melt separately with only a small part of the wax and then add it to the rest of the wax. Those are usually the ones with melt point over 180 degrees F.
Stearic acid, stearic powder, or stearine is very effective, obtained from animal fat or from vegetable oil. It is used to harden the low melt point waxes, usually about 3 tablespoons per pound of wax, though anything between 1% and 100% is possible. Less can make the wax opaque, and more will give it a mottled look.
Vybar is also a hardening additive, used 1 - 1 teaspoon per pound of wax. Makes candles opaque, reduces shrinkage and stabilizes the fragrance. Higher melt point vybar is recommended for molded candles while lower melt point vybar is good for votives and container candles.
Clear crystals or translucent crystals make the wax harder and they maintain the transparent look of paraffin wax. It makes the candles more clear and shiny. 1 tablespoon recommended.
Luster crystals are used to brighten the candle colors and to make candles shiny and opaque. Also improves burn time of the candle and hardens the wax.
UV inhibitors or Ultraviolet light absorbers reduce the fading of colors in the wax. 1/10 - 1/8 teaspoon per pound of wax.
Microcrystalline candle wax additive or Micro wax is created from petroleum. It raises the wax melt point and strengthens or softens the candle, depending on its grade. Hard micro hardens the candle wax, while soft micro has a low melt point and it lowers the wax melt point and helps in making container candles. Also, eliminates the mottling.
Parol oil is added to the wax in order to achieve mottled effect for your candles. Use 1 - 1oz. or parol oil per pound of wax (3% - 6%).
Plastic additives is mostly used when you're making embedded and hurricane candles in order to achieve a stronger wax and translucent appearance.
Petrolatum is a creamy petroleum byproduct that is used for softening the wax while making container candles. It reduces shrinkage and provides better adhesion of the wax to the container wall. Used from 5% to 30%.
Release additives are used in making molded candles because they help in releasing the wax out of molds. Recommended use is 1- 2 teaspoons.