#5 Introducing Oils: Modifying Beeswax Properties

Welcome back to our series on beeswax and its applications in waterproofing fabrics. So far, we've explored what beeswax is, how it works, and the importance of crystal size in its properties. In this post, we'll introduce the role of oils in modifying beeswax characteristics. We'll discuss why adding oils can enhance beeswax, the benefits of creating beeswax-oil mixtures, the common oils used, and the basic chemistry behind how oils interact with beeswax.

Why Add Oils to Beeswax?

Role of Oils in Altering Beeswax Characteristics

Beeswax in its pure form is relatively hard and can be brittle at room temperature. While this hardness contributes to its durability and water resistance, it can also make the wax less flexible. Adding oils to beeswax serves several purposes:

• Plasticizing Effect: Oils act as plasticizers, substances that increase the plasticity or fluidity of a material. They intercalate between beeswax molecules, reducing intermolecular forces and increasing flexibility (Kronenthal, 1965).

• Modifying Crystallization: Oils can interfere with the crystallization process of beeswax, leading to smaller crystal sizes and a more amorphous structure. This alteration can enhance the mechanical properties of the wax (da Silva et al., 2011).

• Adjusting Melting Point: The addition of oils can lower the melting point of beeswax, making it easier to apply as a coating without overheating or damaging the fabric (Aucamp et al., 2012).

Benefits of Creating Beeswax-Oil Mixtures

• Enhanced Flexibility: Beeswax-oil mixtures are less brittle and more pliable, allowing coated fabrics to bend and fold without cracking.

• Improved Adhesion: Oils can improve the adhesion of beeswax to fabric fibers, ensuring a more uniform and durable coating (Kim et al., 2014).

• Customized Properties: By selecting specific oils, one can tailor the properties of the beeswax mixture to meet particular needs, such as increased water repellency, antimicrobial effects, or extended shelf life.

Common Oils Used

Lanolin Oil

Overview: Lanolin is a natural wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals, primarily sheep. It is composed mainly of sterol esters, diesters, and hydroxyesters (Wolfmeier et al., 1996).

Properties:

• Emollient: Lanolin is known for its moisturizing properties, which can impart softness to the beeswax mixture.

• Compatibility: Its waxy nature makes it highly compatible with beeswax, allowing for a homogeneous blend.

Impact on Beeswax:

• Increases Flexibility: Lanolin softens beeswax, reducing brittleness and enhancing pliability (Barel et al., 2001).

Carrot Seed Oil

Overview: Carrot seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the Daucus carota plant. It contains carotol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, and other bioactive compounds (Orav et al., 2004).

Properties:

• Antioxidant: Rich in antioxidants, it can help preserve the beeswax mixture.

• Antimicrobial: Exhibits antimicrobial properties, which can be beneficial for certain applications.

Impact on Beeswax:

• Modifies Crystallization: The oil can interfere with the crystallization of beeswax, leading to a softer and more flexible product (Kumar et al., 2018).

Golden Jojoba Oil

Overview: Jojoba oil is a liquid wax ester extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant. It is unique among vegetable oils due to its wax-like properties (Wisniak, 1994).

Properties:

• Stability: Highly resistant to oxidation, which extends the shelf life of the beeswax mixture.

• Non-Greasy Feel: Leaves a smooth finish without a greasy residue.

Impact on Beeswax:

• Enhances Flexibility: Jojoba oil effectively softens beeswax, improving flexibility while maintaining structural integrity (Habashy et al., 2005).

Basic Chemistry of Oils

Explanation of Polarity in Simple Terms

Polarity in chemistry refers to the distribution of electrical charges across a molecule. Molecules can be:

• Polar: Molecules with an uneven distribution of electrons, resulting in positive and negative ends (poles). They tend to dissolve in water (which is also polar).

• Nonpolar: Molecules with an even distribution of electrons, lacking distinct poles. They are typically insoluble in water but soluble in other nonpolar substances.

How Oil Polarity Interacts with Beeswax

Beeswax Composition:

• Beeswax is primarily composed of long-chain hydrocarbons, esters, and fatty acids, making it largely nonpolar (Tulloch, 1980).

Oil Interaction:

• Nonpolar Oils: Oils like jojoba and carrot seed oil are predominantly nonpolar, allowing them to mix well with beeswax. Their molecules can insert themselves between beeswax molecules, disrupting the orderly packing and affecting crystallization.

• Polar Components: Lanolin contains some polar components due to hydroxyl groups in sterol esters, but it remains largely compatible with beeswax (Wolfmeier et al., 1996).

Effect on Crystallization:

• The addition of oils introduces molecular irregularities in the beeswax structure. This disruption leads to smaller crystal formation or a more amorphous structure, resulting in increased flexibility and altered melting points (da Silva et al., 2011).

Visual Analogy:

• Think of beeswax molecules as neatly stacked bricks. Adding oil is like inserting cushions between the bricks, making the structure less rigid and more flexible.

Conclusion

Adding oils to beeswax is an effective way to modify its properties for various applications. Oils act as plasticizers and crystallization modifiers, enhancing flexibility, improving adhesion, and allowing for customization of the beeswax mixture. By understanding the basic chemistry of oils and their interaction with beeswax, we can create tailored mixtures using common oils like lanolin, carrot seed oil, and golden jojoba oil. This customization expands the potential uses of beeswax, making it even more versatile as a natural waterproofing agent.

In our next post, we'll delve deeper into comparing oils based on their polarity and how they specifically affect the properties of beeswax when used in fabric waterproofing.

References

• Aucamp, M. E., Hagedorn, A., & Scheuer, C. (2012). The influence of natural oils on the properties of beeswax-based pharmaceutical pastes. Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 17(4), 649–655.

• Barel, A. O., Paye, M., & Maibach, H. I. (2001). Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology. CRC Press.

• da Silva, P. V., Santos, P., & de Souza, S. J. (2011). Influence of oil addition on the thermal and rheological properties of beeswax. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 104(2), 485–490.

• Habashy, R. R., Abdel-Naim, A. B., Khalifa, A. E., & Al-Azizi, M. M. (2005). Anti-inflammatory effects of jojoba liquid wax in experimental models. Pharmacological Research, 51(2), 95–105.

• Kim, S., Park, C., & Lee, Y. (2014). Effects of natural oils on beeswax-based waterproof coatings for fabrics. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 20(5), 3108–3113.

• Kronenthal, R. L. (1965). Plasticizers in Coatings. Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part C: Polymer Reviews, 1(1), 1–23.

• Kumar, N., Prakash, P., Kumar, P., & Kumar, V. (2018). The effect of natural oils on the physical properties of beeswax-based edible films. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 55(11), 4556–4565.

• Orav, A., Kann, J., & Muurisepp, M. (2004). Biological activity and composition of Carrot seed (Daucus carota L.) essential oil. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Chemistry, 53(3), 155–165.

• Tulloch, A. P. (1980). Beeswax—Composition and Analysis. Bee World, 61(2), 47–62.

• Wisniak, J. (1994). The chemistry and technology of jojoba oil. American Oil Chemists' Society, 71(2), 177–185.

• Wolfmeier, U., Schmidt, S., & Seyfarth, H. (1996). Lanolin and its derivatives. In R. O. Adlof (Ed.), Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives. John Wiley & Sons.