First, Liquids dont burn, only gasses burn. Liquid gasoline does not burn unless it is above its flash point... which is something like -50f. or something like that. So it will burn readily at ambient (normal indoor/outdoor) temperatures. If its below that temp you can toss a match on it and it will go out (very much like diesel at ambient tempters. Diesel does not give off enough vapors to ignite (its flash point) until its in the range of 145f (+ or - 15f as I am going by memory). That is one reason a diesel engine must have its plugs warm before it will start.
Think of wax as diesel with a different temperature range. its a solid until 144-149f and does not give off vapors. From 149 to 489f it gives off progressively more vapors, however not enough to sustain combustion until 490f at which point when exposed to a ignition source it will flash and free burn (self-sustained combustion). If not exposed to a ignition source and the temperature continues to rise to 520f the product will spontaneously combust into flames and continue to free burn.
Since beeswax is a flammable substance with three states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) like gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, fryer oil at McDonalds, it could, in theory, be used in an internal combustion engine. IF the temperature settings where set correctly. Now I digress
SO, back to the double boiler. Using water H2O as the boiling liquid. It reaches its boiling point at 212f and there until all the liquid is consumed into vapors (Steam) the Vapors are 212f and not a single degree higher. Beeswax gives off enough vapors to sustain combustion at 490f, anything under this is NOT enough to ignite, flash, puff or even fart. You could probably toss a match in the melted wax with the water boiling under it and it will go out. Havent tried it but I believe the proven science behind it.
Did I say it was safe? Nope, of course its dangerous
its hot, you could get burned. The product has an MSDS so the government has decided it was dangerous enough to classify. But, you can melt beeswax in a double boiler EVEN OVER AN OPEN FLAME gas stove with no threat of combustion.
To answer the Candle bit.
A candle is wax in a totally different environment it is a stick or log of beeswax with a readily flammable solid stuck in it
the wick. The Wick is made of ?? Cotton probably and has a very low ignition point and ignites readily when exposed to a flame source
a match.
The burning wick heats the wax above 149f and it melts, now it is a small pool of liquid under the flame provided by the wick. It climbs in temperature from 149f to 489f as it is drawn up the hot wick and into the flame where it reaches 469f and ignites propitiating the flame
.sustained combustion. This process can be called a simple form of PYROLISIS. All substances that are combustible must go thru the stages of pyrolisis to burn
Take a match, light it and stick it head first into the pool of wax under the wick/flame. It goes out. Why? The liquid wax is not giving off enough vapors to sustain combustion. Simple.
Add water to the wick. It goes out, why? It didnt smother it, it didnt remove the fuel, it didnt stop the chemical process that causes fire
it dropped the temperature to about 212 or lower (depending on the amount of water) which is below the point where beeswax cannot sustain combustion and the flame went out.
Again, yes you can melt beeswax with a double boiler using water as a buffer product even over a open flame with firm knowledge it will not burst into flames and singe your eyebrows. I suggest you wear oven mitts because yes its hot and can burn you. (your flesh begins to go thru the phases of pyrolisis)
Recap
I wouldn't believe all of it though. The conclusion that wax is safe below 400% is erroneous, I think.
--um, I never said that
It doesn't need to flash to burn.
--It needs to reach its flashpoint to burn, so um
yes.
Liquid wax will ignite easily
--As long as its >489f, sure I agree with that.
It's good in candles
--Its great in candles.
I haven't worked with it all that much but I know it has danger
--I havent worked with it at all. But I guarantee everything I said above is true.
[ December 02, 2005, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: Irsqu911 ]