Which candles are better paraffin or stearin. Do-it-yourself soap candles (stearin)

I already in the description of paraffin that stearin (stearic acid) is also used to make candles.

It is a natural substance obtained from vegetable and animal fats. By the way, stearin was discovered in lard in 1816 by the French chemist Chevrel.

Stearin (stearic acid) is produced in this form - a free-flowing substance consisting of small white balls:

Stearin is used in the manufacture of various cosmetics (they are also used in creams). self made). It is also indispensable in soap making, is a thickener for various rubber masses, and, of course, in candle making!

When melted, stearin becomes absolutely transparent, like water.

The melting point of stearin is higher than that of paraffin (69.6 ° C, and the boiling point is 376.1 ° C), and it is precisely because of this that its properties stearin candles are more resistant to high room temperatures than paraffin candles.

Paraffin brand P-2 has a melting point of 50-54 ° C, technical grades- from 42 °С.

The higher the melting point, the longer and more evenly the candle burns.

Some even make pure stearin candles. They burn a little longer than paraffin.

Note - if a paraffin or stearin candle is placed in the freezer for a while, it will burn even more evenly and longer until it warms up.

Stearin (stearic acid) in candle making

In order for paraffin candles to have an even color, a more uniform consistency and become more resistant to high temperatures, stearin (stearic acid) is added to them.

For example, look at this photo:

On the right probe of the candle, strictly paraffin and dye are used, and on the left, stearin is also added to them. I think this picture answered many questions.

Candle masters use different proportions in the manufacture of candles, from 10 grams of stearin to 90 grams of paraffin, up to a ratio of 20/80. Most often they use 15/85, but personally I settled on the most suitable quality for me - 20/80.

Stearin costs more than paraffin, and yet quality matters!

Many people involved in spiritual development and yoga often use candles. For example, lighting them while doing some practice and creating a special atmosphere in the room. In yoga, there is such a shatkarma (cleansing practice) as looking at a candle flame, called trataka. Also trataka is.

A candle is a symbol of connection with the Cosmos, the Higher Mind. Her fire is the light of our soul, our bright thoughts. Like a small sun, the fire of a candle helps to transform a person and move towards a righteous life. The softness and suppleness of wax expresses a person's readiness for obedience, his humility, and a short burning - an unfaithful life that is easy to extinguish, its transience. When a person prays, lighting a candle at the same time, he makes a sacrifice to God (instead of animals), thereby showing his respect and humility.

It is believed that if you look at the fire, it cleanses the human aura and the space around.

The history of candles goes back hundreds of thousands of years. The first candles were made from animal fat and oily fish, in contrast to modern wax and paraffin candles. Initially, they resembled a small torch. The Romans invented the wick, the Chinese and Japanese continued their work. Some used rice paper as a wick, others rolled the papyrus into a tube and immersed it in a container where the fat was. Candles were also made from resin and plant fibers. The American Indians obtained wax by burning the bark of the wax tree or resin tree. Candles were also made from pine resin. Much later, cotton and hemp fibers began to be used for wicks.

In the Middle Ages, they began to make candles from bee wax. This made it possible to avoid the disadvantages of fat candles, since wax does not give either soot or bad smell, it burns brightly and evenly. But the fat large quantities easier to get than wax, so wax candles were expensive, however, as now.

Invented in 1850 paraffin from which most modern candles are made. Paraffin is obtained from oil and shale. The mass production of paraffin made it possible to make cheap candles, since it cost much less than wax and similar substances. The material for paraffin candles is, of course, paraffin, but mixed with stearin (stearin 1 gives the candle softness, makes it less fragile). Dyes are used fatty: they are perfectly soluble in paraffin and give even saturated tones. At the end of the 20th century, a “candle renaissance” began all over the world. Decorative scented steel candles an indispensable attribute holidays, original gift, interior decoration. In addition to traditional elongated candles, you can now find figurine candles, gel candles in glasses, floating tablets, tea candles (in an aluminum case), candles in glassware or coconuts.

The fruits of scientific and technological progress, unfortunately, are not always favorable for people. The use of most modern candles can be very harmful to human health! This is what I want to talk about below. So, why are candles harmful ...

Firstly, during combustion, paraffin releases benzene and toluene into the air, carcinogens that are very harmful to a living organism. Along with carcinogenic, benzene has mutagenic, gonadotoxic, embryotoxic, teratogenic and allergic effects. Toluene is a general toxic poison that causes acute and chronic poisoning. Its irritant effect is more pronounced than that of benzene. It causes endocrine disorders and reduces performance, prolonged contact with small doses of toluene can affect the blood. Due to its high solubility in lipids and fats, toluene accumulates mainly in the cells of the central nervous system.

Secondly, many manufacturers use a complex compound as a fixative for the durability of the aroma - diethyl phthalate, which chemists refer to the medium toxic category. It can cause allergic reactions and eczema, dizziness, headache, irregular breathing, watery eyes, nausea and vomiting. It has a teratogenic and mutagenic effect, which is very dangerous for pregnant women. With regular exposure, it can affect the nervous and respiratory system, internal organs and blood cells, contribute to the formation of malignant tumors. By the way, very often this fixative is used in perfumery.

Thirdly, almost all chemical (helium, stearin 1 and paraffin) candles contain up to 70% various additives, dyes, fragrances and other ingredients. In the production of scented candles, artificial additives are very often used. It is good if these flavors have a neutral effect on human health. There is a high probability that the fragrance in the candle will be cheap synthetic, and therefore harmful, the dye will also be used in such a way as to reduce the cost of the product.

Even if the candle is scented with natural essential oils, the fragrance burns out in the process and its effect can be harmful. The oil is very hot, its chemical structure changes and the aroma is distorted. Therefore, I do not advise abusing even natural scented candles ...

Rare use of paraffin candles will not bring any severe harm, but systematic use will have an effect on your body. If a paraffin candle burns in a ventilated room 2-3 times a week, for about half an hour, nothing bad will happen.

Often candles are lit in poorly ventilated rooms and in the evening. Because of this, lovers of various flavors sleep in a smoky room with high content toxic substances in the air. Be sure to ventilate the room! Scientists state the fact that inhaling the vapors of an aromatic candle throughout the evening is equivalent to several hours of passive smoking.

In small spaces a large number of lit candles are especially dangerous. Enough 1-2.

Do not light candles for several hours in a row and use them as an air freshener.

Buy safe scented candles made from natural wax - bees or soy. Beeswax candles don't even need to be scented - they smell like honey and propolis when they burn, but they often have the right essential oils added as well. Soy wax is obtained from soybeans - they learned how to make candles from it not so long ago, but they were immediately appreciated by experts. There are candles that use palm and coconut wax. To determine a paraffin or wax candle, remove the shavings from it with a knife. The paraffin will crumble.

Safe, natural-scented candles are sold only in specialized stores. The smallest candle made of beeswax or soy wax can be more expensive than a whole pack of paraffin candles.

If you set a goal, then, surfing the Internet, you can find the most diverse and original eco-friendly wax candles. Now many craftsmen offer their author's works. Personally, I have found interesting option for myself - herbal wax candles.

And my last parting word, dear reader: carefully examine the wick of the candle. If you notice a metal rod in the weaving of the wick, then this is a lead thread. well and bad influence lead on cardiovascular and nervous system We have known for a long time...

I hope the one who reads this article will become more attentive to the choice of candles.

Take care of yourself and be healthy! OM.

1. Stearin(French stearine, from Greek stear - fat) - an organic product derived from fats. Consists of stearic acid with an admixture of palmitic, oleic and other saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Now you can find vegetable stearin, it is obtained by pressing chilled coconut or palm oil.

Do-it-yourself soap candles (stearin)

Stearin( French stearine, from Greek. stear - fat) - an organic product derived from fats. Consists of stearic acid with an admixture of palmitic, oleic and other saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Used in soap making, paper, rubber, textile industry for making candles. A mixture of kerosene and stearin is used as a lubricant in molding work. As a component is part of the wax used in the foundry industry.

Try to make your own stearin candle,

using a bar of laundry soap.

With a knife, cut about half a piece of laundry soap and put in a clean tin can or in an old saucepan. Pour in enough water to cover the soap chips, and place the mixture on water bath. Stir the contents of the saucepan from time to time. wooden stick so that the soap dissolves quickly in the water.

When this happens, remove the vessel from the heat and pour the vinegar into it. Under the action of acid, a thick white mass will stand out from the solution and float to the surface. This is stearin - a translucent mixture of several substances, mainly stearic C17H35COOH and palmitic C15H31COOH acids.

It is impossible to name the exact composition, it is different and depends on the substances that went into the preparation of soap.

It is known that candles are made from stearin. Or rather, they did it before, because now the candles for the most part not stearic, but paraffinic - paraffin derived from oil is cheaper and more accessible. But since we have stearin at our disposal, we will make a candle out of it.

When the jar is completely cool, scoop the stearin off the surface with a spoon and transfer it to clean dishes. Rinse the stearin two or three times with water and wrap in a clean white cloth or filter paper to absorb excess moisture.

When the stearin is completely dry, let's start with a candle. Probably the simplest method is this: a thick twisted thread, for example, from a kerosene wick, dip repeatedly into slightly heated melted stearin, each time allowing the stearin to harden on the wick. Proceed in this way until a candle of sufficient thickness grows on the wick. it good way, although somewhat tedious; in any case, in ancient times, candles were often prepared in this way.

There is an easier way: immediately coat the wick with stearin heated to soften (you can even just cooked it, not yet cooled down). True, in this case the wick will be worse saturated with fusible mass, and the candle will turn out not very good, although it will burn.

For beautiful figured candles, manufacturing methods are not easy. First of all, you need to make a form - wooden, plaster, metal. In this case, too, it is desirable to impregnate the wick first with one or two layers of stearin; then it is fixed in the form so that it passes exactly in the middle. It is desirable that the wick be slightly taut. And after that, hot stearin is poured into the mold.

Currently, classic wax candles, which have replaced electric light sources for centuries, are extremely difficult to meet. Instead of wax products, paraffin candles are widely used, which are easier and cheaper to manufacture. Unfortunately, this is where the benefits of paraffin end. But the oil derivative has a lot of shortcomings. Stearin, chemical impurities, fragrances and paraffin itself during combustion are toxic and are classified as strong carcinogens. How not to make a mistake and choose a natural candle?

Candles made from natural beeswax do not contain harmful components and are absolutely safe. In addition, wax candles contain a powerful disinfectant component - propolis. You can distinguish paraffin candles from wax candles by several signs, which together will not let you make a mistake and help you make the right choice.

By smell

How to distinguish paraffin candles from wax candles? Very simple. By smell. Paraffin is odorless, while natural product has a pronounced aroma. During burning, a paraffin candle does not emit any odor, while wax, during the melting process, releases a subtle, but still tangible aroma.

To the touch

Beeswax candles, regardless of the method of production (manually or in the factory), have a pleasant texture to the touch. Smooth, with a slight roughness, they differ significantly from paraffin products, whose surface is oily, reminiscent of soap.

During burning

Wax candles crackle lightly, forming a neat droplet of molten substance under the tongue of flame. They burn for a long time, practically without forming streaks, while emitting a barely perceptible smell. In turn, paraffin melts quickly, without releasing third-party odors and aromas into the atmosphere. The burning time is several times less than that of a natural product.

Plastic

To distinguish paraffin candles from wax candles will help their consistency of the material. When cut with a knife, paraffin crumbles, while the product itself has a sufficient margin of hardness. Wax is much softer and more plastic than plasticine resembles. If you cut it, instead of crumbs and cracks, an elegant, even cut is formed.

A well-chosen set of candles can transform the room, give it the missing notes of mystery, or vice versa, illuminate dark corners at a later time. For example, original designer candle Woven Bamboo will perfectly fit into the interior, decorated in colonial style. In turn, a set of natural wax candles, stylized as river stones, will organically fit into the interior of the bathroom, creating the illusion that you are in a spa. Admirers of the vintage direction in design will surely appreciate the beeswax candle, stylized as a ball of woolen thread!

Candles changed their appearance and composition at all times. Both a primitive torch and a kerosene lamp were used as a light source. But in the age of electric lighting, candles remained just as in demand and popular. I wonder if they will become more perfect a millennium later? And what will wax, aromatic, stearin candles look like then?

The history of the origin of candles

About 5,000 years ago, the candle was first mentioned in Egypt and has been used as lighting ever since. The Romans were the first to acquire world fame in the production of such light sources. They impregnated the papyrus with flammable agents with the addition of fat, rolled up a paper wick and set it on fire.

The Chinese formed candles from high-density paper, the Japanese - from wax walnut trees, and the Indians were engaged in boiling the fruits of the cinnamon tree. Less expensive methods developed, and rare ones ceased to exist.

In the 12th century, tallow candles were burned in Russia, for the manufacture of which the wick was repeatedly immersed in melted fat. And thus they increased the required diameter.

In the 13th century in Europe, candles became the main way to illuminate rooms. They were realized in any locality, city and village, there were many masters. A smoky tallow candle is depicted as a prototype of poverty and hopelessness.

In the 15th century, a conical shape was invented, and fat was replaced beeswax. Such candles gave off a minimum of smoke and smell.

In the 18th century, spermaceti, a substance from the body of a whale that does not melt at high temperatures, became the main candle remedy.

Stearic acid in candles began to be used in the 19th century. It is about this substance and will be discussed in the article.

How did stearic acid come about?

In 1820, in France, a method was invented for extracting animal fats, as a result of which a formula of stearin wax appeared, which is quite hard and cleanly burning. And in 1825, the chemist Michel Eugene Chevrel, in collaboration with Joseph Gay-Lussac, created a stearin candle.


When did stearin candle appear? The development of its production in Russia began in 1837. And in 1851, it was established in the United States, thanks to the immigrant Antonio Meucci. Until now, stearin candles are still in demand in Europe.

In the 20th century, paraffin and stearin became the primary components in the production of products in this direction. Since the 1980s, other types of candles have begun to fill the market: scented, transparent, made from mineral oil and polymer additives, palm, soy wax.

Differences in the main components

How to distinguish from stearic? Both substances are different in chemical and physical characteristics. Paraffin is a composition of refined petroleum substances, and stearin is a combination of processed fats and stearic acid with the addition of glycerin.

• Stearin candles are only 4% paraffin and, in addition to it, contain palm oil, and paraffin candles include about 3-15% stearin to give strength to the product.
• To melt paraffin, a temperature of + 36-55 degrees is needed, and for stearin - 55-72.
• The temperature of the flame of a stearin candle reaches 1500 degrees, and of a paraffin candle - 1400 degrees.
• Stearin in reaction with an alkaline substance forms a soap foam, and paraffin does not interact with it in any way.
• Stearin candles burn longer than paraffin candles and do not deform, unlike them.

Is stearin harmful?

Poor quality paraffin candle smoke is toxic, which is important to remember when in indoors. The atmosphere gets: toluene, which provokes dizziness, as well as benzene. The second substance has a carcinogenic property, it is dangerous mutagenic, teratogenic, gonadotoxic, allergic, embryotoxic effects. With allergies, the products of combustion of a paraffin product can provoke a spasm in respiratory tract, and if a metal thread is visible in the composition of the wick, then this is lead, which is harmful to the heart.

If stearin suppositories are harmful, then it is completely insignificant compared to their counterparts. Unfortunately, they are not very common in Russia. And the most environmentally safe are relatively expensive candles made from natural wax: soy, bees. When they are burned, no harmful components are released. An inexpensive candle is the first reason to think about its chemical composition.

aroma candles

Aroma candles cause severe harm to health if burned daily and for a long time indoors. Prolonged exposure to artificial odor vapors is sometimes tantamount to nicotine poisoning. This should be taken into account by people who prefer meditation by candlelight and use them as a fragrance.

If diethyl phthalate is used for the odor fixer, its influence is fraught with a mass of adverse reactions of the body, up to nausea. Even essential oil when heated, it loses its original structure, so its pleasant aroma is distorted.

Stearic acid in cosmetics

Some fats and oils contain stearic acid. It is used in the manufacture of:

• candles;
• soaps;
• toothpaste;
• creams;
• hair dyes;
• rubber compounds.

In pharmaceuticals, analytical chemistry, this white crystalline substance. Stearin is an odorless ingredient and is therefore highly valued in the cosmetic field.

In cosmetic products, it acts as a thickener and stabilizer, which restrains the separation of unstable ingredients into separate substances. Thanks to stearin, the cream looks homogeneous and opaque.

Benefits of Stearin

Stearin candles are not produced in their pure form. Only a small proportion of the substance is added to the base material of candles, and manufacturers value it for the following advantages:

• economical combustion;
• brighter candle flame;
• products with stearin come out of the molds without coercion;
• stearin does not form soot (paraffin candles require soaking the wick in sodium nitrate);
• stearin protects products from distortion when heated.

Market

In Europe, 90% of candles are made from paraffin. Consider the magnitude of the constituent components of the industrial line. About 4% of production is stearin household candles, 0.5% of production is made from bee wax, the rest of the market share is products from soybean and palm plant wax. In Sweden, Norway, stearin as a raw material for candles is much more widespread. Sometimes up to a quarter of stearin is present in paraffin products. Composite candles are also common, consisting of stearin, spermaceti, hard fats with bismuth and the addition of arsenic for strength.

You can buy multi-colored stearin candles in the market or in an online store. Their cost is higher than that of paraffin analogues, but the quality, service life and impressions from them are worth it.

Homemade

To create a candle, ordinary wax (including cinders), paraffin, available in stores, or stearin are suitable. The latter is easy to obtain by melting crushed soap, which is dissolved on fire in a container of water, and then vinegar is added to it. The substance that floats to the surface is collected with a spoon. This is stearin, which is rinsed and dried with a cloth.

A thick cotton thread is used as a wick. Artificial is not suitable, as it will quickly burn out and give off an unpleasant odor. You can use floss or remove the wick from a regular wax candle.

To give the desired shape to the product, you need to use the appropriate container in the form of a ball, can, plaster, wood, metal. The opening should be wide enough to fill the container with molten stearin.

In order for the candle to have color, food coloring or crushed wax crayons must be added to the composition of the filler. The exception is colorants on water and alcohol based- they don't fit. You can also add flavor - any essential oil you like.

Procedure:

• dissolve laundry soap on a quiet fire;
• collect stearin from the surface;
• melt the stearin in a water bath;
• soak the wick with melted substance;
• add flavor and color to the mass;
• weight the end of the wick with a weight;
• hold the wick exactly in the center of the form;
• pour the mass into the mold, wait for solidification;
• remove the finished candle from the mold.

To make a stearin candle a surprise, delight and create a festive atmosphere, decorate it with accessories: beads, shells, coffee beans that can be fused into the hardening material. And the end of the ornamental image will be an original candlestick or an unusual chandelier.

1. The saying "the game is not worth the candle" came from gamblers who used this phrase, comparing winnings with the cost of a burnt candle when playing.
2. Some churches have introduced virtual services. The Cathedral of the city of Santiago de Compostel delights parishioners with the inclusion of electronic candles for 1.4 euros.
3. AT pacific ocean inhabited by a fish that has high proportion body fat. Locals burn it like a candle, stretching a wick through it.
4. As distributors confirm, 96% of candles are purchased by women.
5. The largest candle in the world was lit in honor of national holiday in the kingdom of Bahrain, it weighed three tons, reached 73 m in height and had 14 thousand wicks.