Packaging and storage
Preserve in well-closed containers.
Acid value
Weigh accurately 3 g into a 250-mL flask attached to a reflux condenser, add 50 mL of a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and toluene (5:4), and boil gently until the wax is completely dissolved. Remove the flask from the condenser, add about 1 mL of
phenolphthalein TS, and immediately titrate with 0.5 N alcoholic potassium hydroxide VS to a faint, reddish yellow color.
[NOTEDo not allow solution to cool; titrate at warm temperature after refluxing.
] Calculate the acid value as the number of mg of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize the free acids in 1 g of Carnauba Wax. The acid value so obtained is between 2 and 7.
Saponification value 401
To the solution from the test for
Acid value add 15.0 mL of 0.5 N alcoholic potassium hydroxide VS, reflux for 3 hours, and titrate the excess alkali with 0.5 N hydrochloric acid VS to a yellow-amber color. Perform a blank determination (see
Residual Titrations under
Titrimetry 541 ). The saponification value is the summation of the ester value so obtained and the
Acid value, and it is between 78 and 95.
Residue on ignition 281
Heat 2 g in an open porcelain or platinum dish over a flame: it volatilizes without emitting an acrid odor. Ignite: the weight of the residue does not exceed 5 mg. Not more than 0.25% is found.