Difference between revisions of "Wax"

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[[File:Waxfigure724782.jpg|thumb|Egyptian wax figure<br>MFA# 72.4782]]
 
[[File:Waxfigure724782.jpg|thumb|Egyptian wax figure<br>MFA# 72.4782]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
 
+
[[File:12.200-SC31334.jpg|thumb|Wax resist by Sargent<br>MFA# 12.200]]
 
A solid or semi-solid substance that is slightly greasy to touch. Waxes are composed of long chain hydrocarbon compounds, and may contain esters of fatty acids and alcohols. They are thermoplastic and melt at low temperatures (between 40 and 100C). In general, waxes are water-repellent, smooth, and soluble in organic solvents. Waxes are classified by their origin:  
 
A solid or semi-solid substance that is slightly greasy to touch. Waxes are composed of long chain hydrocarbon compounds, and may contain esters of fatty acids and alcohols. They are thermoplastic and melt at low temperatures (between 40 and 100C). In general, waxes are water-repellent, smooth, and soluble in organic solvents. Waxes are classified by their origin:  
  
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- animal: [[beeswax]], [[lanolin]], [[spermaceti]], [[lac wax]]  
+
* [[animal wax|animal]]: [[beeswax]], [[lanolin]], [[spermaceti]], [[lac wax]]  
−
 
+
* [[vegetable wax|vegetable]]: [[carnauba%20wax|carnauba]], [[candelilla%20wax|candelilla]], [[bayberry%20wax|bayberry]], [[Japan%20wax|Japan wax]]  
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- vegetable: [[carnauba%20wax|carnauba]], [[candelilla%20wax|candelilla]], [[bayberry%20wax|bayberry]], [[Japan%20wax|Japan wax]]  
+
* [[mineral wax|mineral]]: [[paraffin%20wax|paraffin]], [[ozocerite]], [[ceresin%20wax|ceresin]], [[montan%20wax|montan]], [[microcrystalline]]
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+
* synthetic: [[polyethylene]], polymethylene, [[Carbowax|Carbowax®]], [[Halowax|Halowax®]]  
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- mineral: [[paraffin%20wax|paraffin]], [[ozocerite]], [[ceresin%20wax|ceresin]], [[montan%20wax|montan]]  
 
−
 
 
−
- synthetic: [[polyethylene]], polymethylene, [[Carbowax|Carbowax®]], [[Halowax%C2%AE|Halowax®]]  
 
  
 
Waxes are used for polishes, candles, crayons, sealants, coatings, adhesives, waterproofing, and carbon paper. Waxes have been used as a media in [[encaustic%20paint|encaustic]] and [[wax emulsion]] paintings, and as repellents in wax-resist watercolor paintings.
 
Waxes are used for polishes, candles, crayons, sealants, coatings, adhesives, waterproofing, and carbon paper. Waxes have been used as a media in [[encaustic%20paint|encaustic]] and [[wax emulsion]] paintings, and as repellents in wax-resist watercolor paintings.
  
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[[File:12.200-SC31334.jpg|thumb|Wax resist by Sargent<br>MFA# 12.200]]
+
'''Properties of some natural waxes:'''
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+
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Wax
 +
! Source
 +
! Iodine value
 +
! Saponification Number
 +
! Acid value
 +
! mp C
 +
! Ref. Index
 +
! Spec. Gravity
 +
! Use
 +
|-
 +
| Bayberry wax
 +
| ''Myrica cerifera''
 +
| 2.9-3.9
 +
| 205-217
 +
| 3.5
 +
| 40-49
 +
| 1.436
 +
| 0.977-0.995
 +
| soapmaking, candles, natural insect repellent
 +
|-
 +
| Beeswax
 +
| ''Apis mellifica''
 +
| 6-11
 +
| 84-103
 +
| 16-24
 +
| 63-70  (144-149 F)
 +
| 1.440-1.449
 +
| 0.955-0.966
 +
| candles, polishes, adhesives, plasticizer, paint binder  (encaustic)
 +
|-
 +
| Candelilla wax
 +
| ''Euphorbia antisyphilitica''; ''Pedilanthus pavinia''
 +
| 14-37
 +
| 35-86
 +
| 12-20
 +
| 67-71
 +
| 1.456
 +
| 0.950-0.990
 +
| leather dressing, polishes, sealing wax, paper sizing, metal  casting
 +
|-
 +
| Carnauba wax
 +
| ''Corypha cerifera''
 +
| 7.2-13.5
 +
| 75-95
 +
| 0.4-9.7
 +
| 83-86
 +
| 1.467-1.472
 +
| 0.990-0.999
 +
| floor waxes, polishes, metal casting, printing inks, carbon  paper
 +
|-
 +
| Ceresin wax
 +
| purified ozocerite
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
| 61-78
 +
|
 +
| 0.91-0.92
 +
| candles, sizing, floor polish, waterproofing,leather dressing.
 +
|-
 +
| Chinese insect wax
 +
| ''Coccus ceriferus''
 +
| 1-2
 +
| 43-93
 +
| 0.2-1.5<br />     (12-22)
 +
| 80-83
 +
| 1.457
 +
| 0.950-0.970
 +
| candles, polishes, sizing, leather dressing
 +
|-
 +
| Esparto wax
 +
| ''Stipa tenacissima''; ''Lygeum spartum''
 +
| 22-23
 +
| 69.8-79.3
 +
| 22.7-23.9
 +
| 67.5-78.1
 +
|
 +
| 0.9887
 +
| carbon paper and as substitute for carnauba wax
 +
|-
 +
| Japan wax
 +
| ''Rhus verniciflua''; ''Rhus succedanea''
 +
| 4.5-12.6
 +
| 206.5-237.5
 +
| 6-209
 +
| 53
 +
|
 +
| 0.97-0.99
 +
| candles, floor waxes, crayons, adhesive, metal casting
 +
|-
 +
| Microcrystalline wax
 +
| Petroleum
 +
| 0
 +
| 0
 +
| 0
 +
| 60-93
 +
| 1.441
 +
| 0.915-0.941
 +
| polish producing clear, non- sticky finish.
 +
|-
 +
| Montan wax
 +
| Lignin and peat
 +
| 16-20
 +
| 74-127
 +
| 30-70
 +
| 76-130
 +
|
 +
| 1.010-1.030
 +
| polishes, phonograph records, adhesives, sizing, candles,  carbon paper
 +
|-
 +
| Ouricury wax
 +
| ''Cocos coronapa''
 +
| 6.9-7.8
 +
| 61.8-85.8
 +
| 3.4-21.1
 +
| 79-85
 +
|
 +
| 0.970-1.053
 +
| substitute for carnauba wax
 +
|-
 +
| Paraffin wax
 +
| Petroleum
 +
| 0
 +
| 0
 +
| 0
 +
| 47-75
 +
| 1.442-1.448
 +
| 0.880-0.925
 +
| floor wax, waterproofing textiles and paper, leather dressing,  rust preventative
 +
|-
 +
| Spermaceti
 +
| ''Physeter macrocephalus''
 +
| 3.0-4.4
 +
| 120-136
 +
| 2.0-5.2
 +
| 40-50
 +
| 1.433-1.440
 +
| 0.905-0.945
 +
| ointments, candles, soap, surgery, leather dressing
 +
|-
 +
| Lanolin    (wool wax)
 +
| ''Ovis aries''
 +
| 15-47
 +
| 80-127
 +
| 5.6-22.0
 +
| 36-43
 +
| 1.478-1.482
 +
| 0.932-0.946
 +
| emollient,  leather dressing, rust preventative
 +
|}
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
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Soluble in most organic solvents. Insoluble in water.
 
Soluble in most organic solvents. Insoluble in water.
  
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== Comparisons ==
+
== For easy printing and to download==
−
 
 
−
[[media:download_file_8.pdf|Properties of Common Waxes]]
 
  
 
[[media:download_file_10.pdf|Properties of Natural Waxes]]
 
[[media:download_file_10.pdf|Properties of Natural Waxes]]
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== Resources and Citations ==
 
== Resources and Citations ==
 
* C.Harley, "Wax" ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996.
 
* C.Harley, "Wax" ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996.
−
 
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 862
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 862
−
 
 
* Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
 
* Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
−
 
 
* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "wax"  [Accessed 20 Sept. 2005].
 
* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "wax"  [Accessed 20 Sept. 2005].
−
 
 
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996  Comment: "Wax" by C. Harley
 
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996  Comment: "Wax" by C. Harley
−
 
+
* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax Wax) (Accessed Sept. 20, 2005 and Oct. 2024)
−
* Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax (Accessed Sept. 20, 2005)
 
−
 
 
 
* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
 
* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
−
 
 
* Tom Rowland, Noel Riley, ''A-Z Guide to Cleaning, Conserving and Repairing Antiques'', Constable and Co., Ltd., London, 1981
 
* Tom Rowland, Noel Riley, ''A-Z Guide to Cleaning, Conserving and Repairing Antiques'', Constable and Co., Ltd., London, 1981
−
 
 
* Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, ''Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology'', U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
 
* Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, ''Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology'', U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
−
 
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
−
 
 
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
 
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
−
 
−
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
 
−
 
 
* ''The Merck Index'', Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983
 
* ''The Merck Index'', Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983
−
 
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
−
 
 
* Website: www.hants.org.uk/museums/ofr/cmeth_t.html
 
* Website: www.hants.org.uk/museums/ofr/cmeth_t.html
  

Latest revision as of 10:32, 20 October 2024

Egyptian wax figure
MFA# 72.4782

Description

Wax resist by Sargent
MFA# 12.200

A solid or semi-solid substance that is slightly greasy to touch. Waxes are composed of long chain hydrocarbon compounds, and may contain esters of fatty acids and alcohols. They are thermoplastic and melt at low temperatures (between 40 and 100C). In general, waxes are water-repellent, smooth, and soluble in organic solvents. Waxes are classified by their origin:

Waxes are used for polishes, candles, crayons, sealants, coatings, adhesives, waterproofing, and carbon paper. Waxes have been used as a media in encaustic and Wax emulsion paintings, and as repellents in wax-resist watercolor paintings.

Properties of some natural waxes:

Wax Source Iodine value Saponification Number Acid value mp C Ref. Index Spec. Gravity Use
Bayberry wax Myrica cerifera 2.9-3.9 205-217 3.5 40-49 1.436 0.977-0.995 soapmaking, candles, natural insect repellent
Beeswax Apis mellifica 6-11 84-103 16-24 63-70 (144-149 F) 1.440-1.449 0.955-0.966 candles, polishes, adhesives, plasticizer, paint binder (encaustic)
Candelilla wax Euphorbia antisyphilitica; Pedilanthus pavinia 14-37 35-86 12-20 67-71 1.456 0.950-0.990 leather dressing, polishes, sealing wax, paper sizing, metal casting
Carnauba wax Corypha cerifera 7.2-13.5 75-95 0.4-9.7 83-86 1.467-1.472 0.990-0.999 floor waxes, polishes, metal casting, printing inks, carbon paper
Ceresin wax purified ozocerite 61-78 0.91-0.92 candles, sizing, floor polish, waterproofing,leather dressing.
Chinese insect wax Coccus ceriferus 1-2 43-93 0.2-1.5
(12-22) 		80-83 1.457 0.950-0.970 candles, polishes, sizing, leather dressing
Esparto wax Stipa tenacissima; Lygeum spartum 22-23 69.8-79.3 22.7-23.9 67.5-78.1 0.9887 carbon paper and as substitute for carnauba wax
Japan wax Rhus verniciflua; Rhus succedanea 4.5-12.6 206.5-237.5 6-209 53 0.97-0.99 candles, floor waxes, crayons, adhesive, metal casting
Microcrystalline wax Petroleum 0 0 0 60-93 1.441 0.915-0.941 polish producing clear, non- sticky finish.
Montan wax Lignin and peat 16-20 74-127 30-70 76-130 1.010-1.030 polishes, phonograph records, adhesives, sizing, candles, carbon paper
Ouricury wax Cocos coronapa 6.9-7.8 61.8-85.8 3.4-21.1 79-85 0.970-1.053 substitute for carnauba wax
Paraffin wax Petroleum 0 0 0 47-75 1.442-1.448 0.880-0.925 floor wax, waterproofing textiles and paper, leather dressing, rust preventative
Spermaceti Physeter macrocephalus 3.0-4.4 120-136 2.0-5.2 40-50 1.433-1.440 0.905-0.945 ointments, candles, soap, surgery, leather dressing
Lanolin (wool wax) Ovis aries 15-47 80-127 5.6-22.0 36-43 1.478-1.482 0.932-0.946 emollient, leather dressing, rust preventative

Synonyms and Related Terms

voks (Dan.); Wachs (Deut.); cera (Esp., It.); cire (Fr.); wosk (Pol.); vax (Sven.)

Types include: animal wax; synthetic wax, mineral wax; vegetable wax

wax

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in most organic solvents. Insoluble in water.

For easy printing and to download

Properties of Natural Waxes

Resources and Citations

  • C.Harley, "Wax" The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996.
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 862
  • Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "wax" [Accessed 20 Sept. 2005].
  • The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: "Wax" by C. Harley
  • Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax Wax) (Accessed Sept. 20, 2005 and Oct. 2024)
  • Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
  • Tom Rowland, Noel Riley, A-Z Guide to Cleaning, Conserving and Repairing Antiques, Constable and Co., Ltd., London, 1981
  • Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  • Website: www.hants.org.uk/museums/ofr/cmeth_t.html

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