Carnauba wax is the natural wax with the highest melting point. As such it is extremely useful when preparing polishing compounds or wood finishing waxes, cosmetic products and certain artists materials.
Carnauba wax is harvested from the leaves of a palm tree indigenous to northern Brazil named Copernica cerifera. The wax protects the plant against it’s environment and prevents excessive water evaporation. Carnauba wax consists mainly of esters, free long chain fatty alcohols, and free fatty acids and resins.
This very hard natural wax, also known as Brazil wax and palm wax, is used in many applications such as wood finishing, fine arts, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. Typical products are : wood waxes, artists paintsticks and pastels, artists mediums and varnishes, make-up, mascara, dental floss, decorative cosmetics, sun care, food, candles, car polishes and even surfboard wax where it is the main ingredient (mixed with coconut oil).
Because carnauba wax has the highest melting point among the natural waxes it is suitable for improving the temperature stability of many products.
Carnauba wax is sold in several grades, labeled T1, T3, and T4, depending on their respective purity level. Purification is accomplished by filtration, centrifugation, and sometimes bleaching. Kama pigments’ carnauba wax (CI-CA0020) is T1 grade, which is the lightest colour grade.
