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This week in the lab, Senior Materials Research Scientist Rob Cain has been testing the hardness of different waxes, with the goal of identifying a soy-based alternative to carnauba wax. Testing the hardness of waxes gives quite of bit of useful information, such as the wax’s melting point, brittleness, and potential applications. Carnauba wax has a particularly high melting point, reaching upwards of 176℉. The high melting point indicates that the wax also has a relativity high hardness. These properties lend carnauba wax durability and longevity, so it can be used for auto polishes, cosmetics, polishes for candies and medicinal pills, thickener for solvents and oils, and hardener in printing inks. Since hardness is good indicator of a soy wax’s promise as a carnauba competitor, Rob measured various waxes—including both waxes produced in-house and commercial products—and compared the results.

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