KERAGEL - CRYSTAL CLEAR CANDLE GEL

 Description

 Crystal Clear Candle Gel  ( MINERAL OIL+POLYMER RESIN ) 

 

Step into the world of crystal-clear candle gel – a tailor-made material designed for crafting glass candles. Unlike traditional waxes, this gel has a semi-soft texture and a see-through quality, creating a special play of light with the flame.

The gel is both semi-soft and transparent, making it ideal for creating eye-catching candles that are a hit in interior decoration and events. It can even be customized by adding components to simulate the sea or beverages. 

Why choose clear gel for candles?

1. Ease of Use: Clear gel is simple to work with. Heat it gently in a pot over direct heat or in a melting wax device, pour it into the candle container, and as it cools, it takes on a semi-soft consistency, securely holding its place in the glass.

2. Versatility: Easily add colors with candle dyes or infuse delightful aromas by mixing essential oils or fragrances. 

3. Compatibility: Pair it seamlessly with cotton wicks or wooden wicks and other decorations. Add personal touches by including decorative elements before the gel solidifies.

4. Safety First:  Clear gel is safe and non-toxic – perfect for crafting candles that bring both quality and safety to your home.

Product Specifications

Gel wax is different from paraffin wax in several ways. Gel wax is a combination of mineral oil and polymer resin. It has a slow melt rate and a long burn time making it good value for the money. Gel wax is translucent and has the consistency of a firm 'Jelly'.The temperature-stable texture of this elastomer gel presents several advantages, making it flexible and moldable. The gel used for crafting gel candles boasts the following attributes:

• Transparent
• Odorless
• Non-toxic
• Non-irritating
• Hydrophobic

Information on basic physical and chemical properties

• Appearance: Clear gel
• Smell: Characteristic
• Softening point (C): 70-85ºC
• Boiling point/liquid pool (C): >250
• Congealing Point: N/A
• Flashpoint (ASTM D 93) (C): >250
• Automatic ignition point (C): >180
• Density at 20 ºC (g/cm3): About 0.86
• Solubility in water (% by weight): Insoluble

Recommendations

Handling wax gel is facilitated by its predictable behavior in response to temperature changes. It maintains stability across a broad temperature spectrum, melting within the range of 70 to 90ºC and solidifying upon simple cooling. This thermal cycle can be repeated without compromising the product's properties.

To ensure optimal results, and ensure there are fewer bubbles, heat the gel between 84-95°C. Be careful to never exceed 100°C/110ºC. Always use glass or crystal containers and exercise caution when handling the gel in its liquid state.

Here's a guide on how to use this gel wax for gel candles:

1. Melt the gel in a melting device.
2. Pour it into the desired container without stirring to avoid creating small bubbles.
3. For coloring, prepare the color (candle dye or aniline powder) separately with a small amount of melted gel. Slowly add it to the rest of the candle gel without shaking.

Notes for consideration:

To prevent bubble formation, besides minimizing agitation, ensure the gel's temperature, when poured, fluctuates between 84 and 95ºC. Exercise caution to prevent burns.

Gel wax necessitates a specific type of wick, available in our store for gel candles, such as LX wicks or Wooden Wicks. Sometimes TCR can also work. 

Consider one size bigger than you would choose for wax  

*Precautions: Melt in open or well-ventilated places. If melted in high temperatures ( exceding the advised emits toxic fumes).

*Warnings:

• Given the high melting temperature, it is ESSENTIAL to avoid skin contact, as it could cause serious burns.
• Keep out of reach of children in the liquid, molten state.

Technical documentation

         Safety data sheet (SDS)

         Folha de Segurança (FDS)

What fragrances to use with KERAGEL 

Gel Wax is a clear wax with a jelly consistency, used for containers only, often used with items placed inside the wax for decoration. Think sea shells, dried fruits etc.

This wax exhibits great scent throw, vibrant colours can be achieved but you need to be careful not to add to much colour if you want to keep the translucent look. Gel wax has the ability to burn up to twice as long as standard paraffin wax, making the higher cost point more economical.

Gel wax has a higher melting point than paraffin wax, to get the wax bubble free you need to heat it to between 110c and 120c. We recommend heating this wax to around 70-85 degrees to melt and pouring at 60 degrees. Add fragrance as close to pour temperature as possible for optimum results.

Not all fragrance oils are suitable for use in gel wax, you must use fragrances with a flash point above 77c, the flashpoint is important because gel wax burns at a higher temperature. Using a scent with a flashpoint lower than 77c results in too big of a difference in your melt point and flashpoint; this makes for an unstable and unsafe candle.

   - Using fragrances with a flash point below 77°C is considered hazardous because it could lower the flash point of the wax itself.

   - The unscented gel wax has a burn pool temperature of 180°C, which is below the general flash point of 250°C.

   - However, adding fragrance to the wax can potentially lower its flash point, making it easier to ignite

What are polar and non polar fragrances ?

In the context of fragrances and wax compatibility, the term "non-polar" refers to the chemical nature of the fragrance oil. Chemical compounds can be broadly classified as polar or non-polar based on their molecular structure.

- **Polar Molecules:** These molecules have an uneven distribution of electrons, creating positive and negative poles within the molecule. They often have distinct positive and negative ends. Water is a common example of a polar substance.

- **Non-Polar Molecules:** These molecules have a more even distribution of electrons and lack distinct positive and negative poles. Hydrocarbons, like those found in many essential oils and synthetic fragrances, are often non-polar.

For wax compatibility, particularly with gel wax as mentioned in your previous statement, non-polar fragrances are preferred. This is because gel wax itself is often non-polar. Non-polar fragrances are more likely to mix well with non-polar wax, providing a stable and safe composition for candle-making.

It's crucial to ensure that the fragrance oil selected for use in gel wax candles meets the recommended criteria, including being non-polar and having a flash point above 77°C, to maintain safety and avoid potential hazards during the candle-making process and burning.

To determine whether a fragrance is non-polar or not, you'll need to review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for that specific fragrance. The SDS provides detailed information about the properties, hazards, and safety precautions associated with a chemical product, including fragrances. Here's what to look for:

1. Chemical Composition:

   - Check the section of the SDS that outlines the chemical composition of the fragrance. Look for terms like "hydrocarbon" or "non-polar solvent." Fragrances with these characteristics are more likely to be non-polar.

2. Polarity Information:

   - Some SDS documents may explicitly mention whether the substance is polar or non-polar. Look for information in the sections related to physical and chemical properties or in any section specifically addressing the nature of the substance.

3. Solubility Information:

   - Non-polar substances tend to be more soluble in other non-polar substances. Check the solubility information in the SDS, especially if it mentions compatibility with other materials.

4. Chemical Structure:

   - Look for information about the chemical structure of the fragrance components. Fragrances with predominantly hydrocarbon structures are likely to be non-polar.