The constitution of woolwax

Abstract

Summary Extensive analyses have been made of American and Australian woolwaxes. Combined hydroxy acids have been shown to be the most characteristic and important components of these waxes. Both contained considerable amounts (about 91.5% in the case of the American wax and 31.7% in the Australian sample) of diestolidic esters of the alcohols of the unsaponifiable fraction. This conclusion is supported by calculations of composition, by observations of viscosity and emulsifying properties, and by determinations of mean molecular weight by the Prahl method.