IJSRST1738217 | Received : 25 Nov 2017 | Accepted : 25 Dec 2017 | November-December-2017 [(3)8: 990-993]
© 2017 IJSRST | Volume 3 | Issue 8 | Print ISSN: 2395-6011 | Online ISSN: 2395-602X
Themed Section: Science and Technology
990
Studies in Properties of Animal Waxes : Bees and Shellac Waxes Using DSC,
FT-IR and Conventional Methods of Testing
Atul P. Dwivedi
1
, Dr. G. K. Ghosal
2
, Dr. P. N. Belkhode
3
1
Research Scholar, Laxminarayan Institute of technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
2
Former HOD Petroleum refining and Petrochemical Technology, Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra,
India
3
Asst. Professor, Department of General Engineering, Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
ABSTRACT
The plant waxes are used in many different applications in the industries. The application of waxes for any
particular industries depends on their properties. In this study the two plant waxes namely Carnauba and Candelilla
waxes had been studied for their properties like melting point, needle penetration, drop melting point, flash point,
viscosities and densities. The testing were carried out as per ASTM standards. These properties were correlated with
the results obtained from the DSC and FT-IR data.
Keywords: Carnauba wax, Candelilla wax, FT-IR, DSC, Conventional properties.
I. INTRODUCTION
Natural waxes are unique mix of long-chain, linear and
even-numbered aliphatic mono-esters. Partially varying
amounts of linear hydrocarbons (candelilla), free wax
alcohols respectivly polycosanoles (carnauba wax) and
other ingredients like phytosterols, natural resins are also
present.[1]Carnauba wax is used in the manufacture of
polishes for floors, automobiles, furniture , shoes, etc.. It
is used in candles to raise the melting point; in carbon
paper; and in a variety of moulded products. Articles
published by scientific men in technical and trade
journal reveal a curious lack of accurate information
about this wax in any stage of its production or in any
form other than that in which it appears on the market.
The actual production of carnauba wax is exceedingly
crude. The original native methods of production have
been little improved. The harvesters go forth into the
farms armed with a sharp sickle-like knife fastened to
the end of a long pole. With this long-handled knife they
cut the desired number of leaves from the trees.
Harvesting takes place from July to January; the time
varies in different localities, depending primarily upon
rainfall.[2,4]
Candelilla wax is a yellowish-brown hard, brittle,
lustrous solid with an aromatic odour when heated. It
consists primarily of odd-numbered saturated straight-
chain hydrocarbons (C29 to C33), together with esters of
acids and alcohols with even-numbered carbon chains
(C28 to C34). The most abundant n-alkane, C31,
comprises more than 80% of total n-alkanes. Free acids,
free alcohols, sterols, neutral resins, and mineral matter
(<1%) are also present.[3]
Candelilla wax may be obtained from several species of
Euphorbiacea; the primary source is Euphorbia
antisyphilitica. The plant grows as a bush or shrub in
dense stands, principally in the Chihuahuan desert in
north eastern Mexico. The plant consists of numerous
slender, leafless, cylindrical stalks covered with a
powdery wax that gives the plant a blue-green colour.[4]
The Candelilla wax is used in Textile industry, Leather
industry, Casting, Precision electroplating and
Automobile for coating. It is also used for
manufacturing Greases, adhesive agents, Lipstick and
chewing gum.
II. EXPERIMENTATION AND OBSERVATIONS:
The DSC of Carnauba and Candelilla waxs were carried
out using ASTM D 4419. The experiment has been done
using aluminium container heated at a controlled rate of