Waxes
Waxes
Waxes (/wæks/) are a diverse class of organic compounds that are lipophilic, malleable solids near ambient temperatures. They include higher alkanes and lipids, typically with melting points above about 40 °C (104 °F), melting to give low viscosity liquids. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents.
Etymology
The word "wax" comes from the Old English weax, which is akin to the Old High German wahsa, meaning "to grow" or "to increase". The term has been in use since before the 12th century.
Types of Waxes
There are several types of waxes, including:
- Animal waxes: These are derived from animals. An example is beeswax.
- Vegetable waxes: These are derived from plants. An example is carnauba wax.
- Mineral waxes: These are derived from minerals and include paraffin wax and ozokerite.
- Synthetic waxes: These are man-made waxes and include polyethylene waxes.
Uses of Waxes
Waxes have a wide range of uses, including:
- In the cosmetics industry, where they are used in products like lip balms and lotions.
- In the food industry, where they are used as coatings to preserve fruits and cheeses.
- In the candle industry, where they are used to create candles.
- In the pharmaceutical industry, where they are used in tablet formulations and ointments.
Related Terms
- Lipids
- Alkanes
- Nonpolar solvents
- Cosmetics industry
- Food industry
- Candle industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Waxes
- Wikipedia's article - Waxes
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