carnauba wax
A yellowish-white or green, sticky exudation on
the leaves, berries and stalks of the carnauba
palm (Copernicia cerifera), found in South
America, and especially Brazil. It is believed to
consist largely of myricyl ceretate and myricyl
alcohol (C 29 H 59 . CH
2 . OH). It is used to impart a high
gloss to leathers that are not to be glazed, and
by bookbinders to polish the edges of books after
gilding and burnishing through paper. The wax
imparts a high gloss to the edges and is preferred
to beeswax by some as it is less likely to streak.
Carnauba wax has a softening range of 83 to
84° C., which makes it especially suitable
for use in very hot climates. (195 , 291 )
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