Quick Search
CAS Number: 8015-86-9
EC Number: 232-399-4
MDL Number: MFCD00130724
Molecular Formula: Unspecified (complex mixture of esters, fatty acids, and alcohols)
Synonyms:
Carnauba wax; Brazil wax; Palm wax; Copernicia cerifera wax; Cera carnauba; E903; Carnauba; Carnauba (Copernicia cerifera) wax
Chemical Identity and Properties:
Carnauba wax is a natural vegetable wax obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm (Copernicia cerifera), native to northeastern Brazil. It is often referred to as the "Queen of Waxes" due to its exceptional hardness, high melting point, and glossy finish.
The chemical composition is complex and includes:
Esters (approximately 80-85%): Primarily monoesters and diesters of long-chain fatty acids (C16-C32) and long-chain alcohols (C24-C34)
Free Fatty Acids (approximately 3-6%): Including cerotic acid, melissic acid, and other long-chain acids
Free Alcohols (approximately 5-10%): Including triacontanol, myricyl alcohol, and ceryl alcohol
Hydrocarbons (approximately 1-3%): Saturated alkanes
Resins and other components (approximately 5-10%)
Physical Properties:
Appearance: Hard, brittle solid; light yellow to brownish-yellow flakes or powder
Odor: Odorless or faint characteristic odor
Melting Point: 82–86 °C (exceptionally high for natural wax)
Density: 0.990–0.999 g/cm³ at 25 °C
Refractive Index: 1.45
Acid Value: 2–10 mg KOH/g
Saponification Value: 78–95 mg KOH/g
Iodine Value: 5–14
Hardness: Extremely hard and brittle; the hardest natural wax
Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in diethyl ether, chloroform, and hot alkali; slightly soluble in boiling ethanol
Production and Processing:
Carnauba wax is harvested by drying the leaves of the carnauba palm, beating them to release the wax, and then refining. The wax is secreted by the tree as a protective coating against water loss and intense sunlight. Brazil is the primary producer, accounting for over 90% of global supply.
Grades:
Type 1 (Prime): Highest quality; lightest color; used for premium cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
Type 3 (Medium): Medium color; used for polishes and industrial applications
Type 4 (Low): Darker color; used for lower-grade industrial applications
Applications:
1. Cosmetics and Personal Care:
Lipsticks and lip balms: Provides structure, gloss, and hardness; prevents melting at high temperatures
Mascaras and eyeliners: Contributes to water resistance and application smoothness
Creams and lotions: Adds body, stability, and emollient properties
Deodorants: Functions as a structuring agent
Hair care: Provides shine and hold in styling products
2. Food Industry:
E903 Food Additive: Used as a glazing agent for confectionery (candies, chocolate), fruits, and chewing gum
Tablet coating: Provides protective and glossy coating for pharmaceutical tablets
Bulking agent and acidity regulator: In various food products
3. Polishes and Coatings:
Automobile waxes: Provides high-gloss, durable finish
Floor and furniture waxes: Creates hard, water-resistant protective coating
Shoe polishes: Adds shine and water protection
Instrument polishes: For musical instruments and fine wood finishes
4. Industrial Applications:
Paper coatings: Provides gloss, water resistance, and printability
Mold release agent: For fiber-reinforced plastics and composite manufacturing
Printing inks: Improves rub resistance and gloss
Electrical insulation: Component in wire and cable coatings
5. Other Applications:
Surfboard wax: Main ingredient providing grip and texture
Dental floss: Coating for smooth glide
Leather finishing: Provides gloss and water resistance
Candle making: Adds hardness and raises melting point
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT CARNAUBA WAX
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
