Japan wax

Japan wax ( also Japan tallow or Sumachwachs ) is a mixture of vegetable fat and free fatty acids, which is produced from the fruits of various plants such as Rhus succedanea, the Japanese wax tree. It is used in cosmetic products and in the textile industry.

Properties

Japan wax is a white to yellowish, insoluble in water and cold ethanol substance. Despite the name, Japan wax is not wax in the chemical sense, but a mixture of vegetable fats, such as palmitic and free fatty acids such as palmitic acid, small amounts Japan and acid -soluble acids such as isobutyric acid.

Japan wax is soluble in benzene, ether and naphtha. The melting point is 52 to 54 ° C. The iodine value is from 4.5 to 12.6, the acid value is up to 209, the saponification number is between 206 and 238

Extraction

The fruits contain up to 30% Japan wax, Japan wax, the recovery of the is carried out by pressing or extraction process.

In the pressing process, the fruits are first screened and then pressed and crushed. The crushed fruit is cooked. The Japan wax collects on the surface of the hot water and is skimmed off there. The fresh wax has a yellowish- green color and is bleached in the sun. In the extraction process, the fruit is transferred to the sieve with an organic solvent such as hexane and extracted Japan wax.

Use

Japan wax is used in cosmetics, foods and medical products such as dental wax models as well as raw material for soap making.