"I
have seen the recent exploding gel candle story that
is making the rounds on the Iinternet. Penreco has
spent a lot of time and money researching the origins
of a gel candle fire. This is quite simply why we
have released all the information that we have to
the market place regarding the results of our work
and recommendations for producing a safe candle.
"Most
gellers know the criteria that we have released for
fragrance selection; minimum 170F flash point and
non-polar in nature. We also provide the maximum fragrance
loads recommended for our gels.
"Candle
flares might occur when the improper fragrance is
selected, the concentration is too high or the fragrance
oil is not well mixed. Low flash point or polar fragrances
can reduce the flash point of the total candle system
to a point that could coincide with the higher melt
pool temperatures of gel candles.
"When
the fragrance oil is not well mixed pockets of lower
flash point fragrance can develop in a burning candle,
when the flame hits this pocket the flame will spread
across the melt pool. If enough heat is generated
from the flames it has the potential to explode the
glass.
"The
examples we have seen of this occurred at the bottom
of the candle because the sides of the candles allow
for the heat to build up.
"The
recent story mentions a gas building up and exploding,
this is untrue. No gases are emitted from burning
a candle gel made with Penreco gel.
"Gel
candles are not wax candles. They do burn at higher
temperatures than wax candles and the candle maker
should take the extra precaution to find out as much
as possible about all of the safety factors involved
with making a safe gel candle. Once they have an idea
in mind they should produce several prototypes to
test before offering it for sale to anyone.
"Penreco
is committed to supplying the safest product possible
and we continue to research this technology to provide
additional safety data as it develops.
"One
additional thought before you add these comments to
your newsletter. It should be understood and I
would want to emphasize that all of the safety work
we conducted was with Penreco candle gels, based on
the oils Penreco uses and at the polymer ratios that
Penreco produces to.
"I
would never state that our safety data automatically
transfers to any home made gel or some of the gels
that are offered on various internet sites. Unfortunately
some sites that I know are not selling our gel are
promoting and using the safety factors we developed
to market their gels.
"Please give me a call if you need anything
else. Thanks, Ed (Potter) "
Thank
you, Ed, for your informative article. If you are
using Penreco's Candle Gel... you may now take a deep
.. collective... sigh of relief.
Additional
Information:
Versagel
FAQ
Penreco Safety Factors Bulletin
Penreco
Product Handling Bulletin
Penreco's
remarks about Gel Candle Safety and the NFPA
Gel
Candle Safety Tips
Additional
information on making & marketing Gel Candles
Another
site for reading more about the topic is at:
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