Why Natural Soy Wax Candles Contract Away from the Vessels
Why is the wax in my candle separating from the glass?
We know how upsetting it is to receive a candle only to notice those ugly "wet spots." While this might affect the aesthetics of your candles, it does not impact their burn quality or safety.
Why Do Soy Wax Candles Contract Away from Glass?
- Natural Ingredient Properties: Soy wax is softer and more pliable than paraffin wax - which is commonly used in traditional candles. This softness can make soy wax more prone to contracting away from the glass when exposed to temperature changes.
- The Nature of Soy Wax: Soy wax is derived from soybean oil and is known for being a renewable and biodegradable material. When burned, it melts to form a pool of liquid wax around the wick, allowing the fragrance to be released into the air. However, as the candle cools, soy wax tends to contract and pull away from the glass container.
- Adhesion Properties: The adhesion properties of soy wax differ from those of paraffin wax. Soy wax may not adhere to the glass as strongly as paraffin wax, contributing to the separation effect.
Natural soy wax candles offer numerous benefits, but their propensity to contract away from glass can sometimes be puzzling. The science behind this lies in the temperature-sensitive nature of soy wax, which causes it to shrink and pull away from the container walls.