BEESWAX

CAS Number: 8012-89-3
 EC Number: 232-383-7
 Molecular Formula: Unspecified (complex mixture of esters, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons)
 Molecular Weight: Approximately 203.09 g/mol (average for constituent components)
Synonyms:
 Yellow beeswax; White beeswax; Cera alba (white); Cera flava (yellow); Bee's wax; Apifil; Aquacer 560; Bleached beeswax; Bienenwachs; Cire d'abeilles; E 901; Honeybee wax; Wax, bees; Animal wax
Chemical Identity and Properties:
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) to construct honeycomb cells. It is secreted by worker bees from eight wax-producing glands on their abdominal segments. The chemical composition is complex, consisting primarily of:
Esters (approximately 70-80%): Mainly monoesters of long-chain fatty acids (C16-C26) and long-chain alcohols (C24-C36)
Hydrocarbons (approximately 14-18%): Saturated alkanes, predominantly C27, C29, C31, and C33
Free Fatty Acids (approximately 10-12%): Including cerotic acid, melissic acid, and palmitic acid
Free Alcohols (approximately 1-2%): Including triacontanol and cetyl alcohol
Other Components: Trace amounts of water, pollen, propolis, and aromatic compounds
Physical Properties:
Appearance: Yellow to brown solid (yellow beeswax); white to pale yellow solid (bleached/white beeswax)
Odor: Characteristic sweet, honey-like aroma (yellow); faint to nearly odorless (white)
Melting Point: 61–66 °C (typically 62–65 °C)
Drop Melting Point: 61–66 °C
Density: 0.95–0.97 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Acid Value: 17–24 mg KOH/g
Ester Value: 70–80 mg KOH/g
Saponification Value: 87–104 mg KOH/g
Hydrocarbon Content: Maximum 18%
Solubility: Insoluble in water; partially soluble in hot ethanol (90% V/V); soluble in fatty oils, essential oils, diethyl ether, chloroform, and hydrocarbons
Refractive Index: Approximately 1.44–1.45 at 80 °C
Grades and Types:
1. Yellow Beeswax (Cera flava):
Unbleached, natural color ranging from yellow to golden brown
Retains natural honey-like aroma
Contains natural impurities including pollen and propolis
Preferred for natural and organic formulations
2. White Beeswax (Cera alba):
Bleached or filtered yellow beeswax
White to pale yellow in color
Faint odor
Preferred for cosmetic formulations where color and scent neutrality are desired
May be produced by chemical bleaching, activated carbon filtration, or hydrogen peroxide treatment
Applications:
1. Cosmetics and Personal Care:
 Beeswax is a fundamental ingredient in numerous cosmetic formulations:
Lip products: Lipsticks, lip balms, lip glosses (provides structure, gloss, and emollience)
Skin care: Creams, lotions, ointments (functions as a thickener, emulsifier, and film former)
Hair care: Pomades, waxes, styling products
Makeup: Foundations, mascaras, eyeliners (improves texture and water resistance)
2. Pharmaceuticals:
Ointment bases: Provides consistency and water-absorbing properties
Tablet coating: Used as a glazing and polishing agent
Topical formulations: Emollient and protective agent
3. Food Industry:
E901 Food Additive: Used as a glazing agent for confectionery, fruits, and cheese
Coating: Provides protective coating and shine
4. Candle Making:
Preferred for natural, slow-burning, dripless candles
Emits pleasant honey scent when burned
RAL-GZ041 certified beeswax must have hydrocarbon content ≤18% to guarantee purity
5. Industrial Applications:
Furniture and floor polishes: Provides durable, water-resistant finish
Leather care: Conditioning and waterproofing
Textile finishing: Sizing and waterproofing
Art and casting: Lost-wax casting for jewelry and sculpture
Adhesives: Component in sealing wax and adhesive formulations
6. Other Applications:
Dental floss coating
Surfboard wax
Electrical insulation
Impregnating agent for wood

SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BEESWAX

First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician. 
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
 
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. 
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. 
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
 
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
 
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting. 
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 
Rinse mouth with water. 
Consult a physician.
 
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
 
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment. 
 
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas. 
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
 
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste. 
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
 
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
 
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. 
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
 
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
 
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles. 
Faceshield (8-inch minimum). 
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
 
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves. 
Gloves must be inspected prior to use. 
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. 
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. 
Wash and dry hands.
 
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
 
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. 
 
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. 
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. 
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions. 
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
 
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. 
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product