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Home > substances. The so-called " artificial...
Previous Next The best candle and soap tips online! substances. The so-called " artificial grain" consists usually of starch, lime, or clay, which is made into the shape of grains. The most suitable is clay, if we at all desire to assist in lending a helping hand to such a deception. Elaidin Soft Soaps.—These soaps contain, in comparison to potash, a larger proportion of soda than the common soft soaps, in consequence of which they become muddy when cooled oft", and when stirred again, assume a silvery or golden shiny appearance. According to the nature of the fat, they show a yellow or yellowish white color; for their production, more hard fats are used than others. The first half of the fat boiled in potash, the other in soda, furnishes a good and smooth soft soap. Numerous are the receipts for the fabrication of elaidin soaps, which differ partly on account of the various fats, partly on account of the proportions of the various mixed fats which are to be saponified. The manipulation is the same as in the case of the common soft soaps. They are adjusted until a sample, placed upon the glass plate, shows a small lye ring when cooled off. The disappearance of the froth in clear boiling here also designates the approaching end of the boiling. And this offers a tolerably sure sign that all the alkali has combined with the sebacic acids. For our ownselves, we have no doubt that the carbonate of alkalies, when the saponification does once take place, will to a certain degree decompose the neutral fats and change them into soap. At first the caustic alkali is absorbed while boiling, further also the carbonate of alkali is changed as long as fat is still on hand. This transformation ensues under the development of carbonic acid, which is really the cause of the frothing. The ceasing of frothing, or, what is the same, of carbonic acid development, is therefore a sure sign that a reciprocal influence of the "materials no longer takes place. Inasmuch now as the lyes which find application in the manufacture of soap—as may be boldly asserted—are never perfectly caustic, we would, when the carbonate of alkalies in the presence of caustic alkali and finished soap were not decomposed in all cases from the be-21 322 TECHNICAL TREATISE ON SOAP AND CANDLES. THE FABRICATION OF SOAPS. 323 ginning, have to employ a so much larger overplus of alkali, as the lyes contained carbonate of alkali. A certain limit, however, it seems must, in this case, not be transgressed, if we do not desire to run the risk of continuing the boiling very long, or until a perfect saponification ensues, and cause a loss of time and fuel. The following receipts are effective for making good elaidin soaps:— 600 kilog. (1320 lbs.) palm oil (bleached), 300 " (660 lbs.) linseed oil, saponified part with potash,part with soda, with say 3 parts potash and 2 parts sodi\. These are about the proper equivalents. Another formula is, 45 parts palm oil, 55 parts oleic acid; 40 parts palm oil, 30 parts oleic acid, and 30 parts linseed oil. The more the quantity of the soda is increased in proportion to the potash, the greater the consistency, the harder, but also the less clear the elaidin soaps appear. But in this respect we must govern ourselves according to the desires and the customs of" the consumers. Many give to the elaidin soaps an addition of rosin ; but in most cases there ensues from this no profit, either for the consumer or for the manufacturer. White Soft Soaps.—By this name a soap is known in many places, which really cannot be counted among the soft soaps, since as to its main substance it is composed of a soda soap, filled with chloride of potassium. It is produced by saponifying 75 parts tallow and 25 parts cocoa oil with 2 parts caustic potash and 1 part caustic soda lye. The previously mixed lyes are added by degrees until the soap attains a strong " touch." Thereupon so much salt lye of 203 B. is stirred in, until a sample, when cooled off, forms a stiff paste, which by a pressure of the fingers, extends upon the glass plate. The soap is now finished and is to be filled into the barrels, where, after it becomes cold, it will be found to be so firm that it cannot—like other soft soaps—be taken out with the spatula, but must be cut out with a knife. 100 parts of the fats furnish 400 parts of a cheap, but very inferior soap. A very pure soft soap, much esteemed by manufacturers, is the ^English Crown Soap (first quality). In England, the lyes are made perfectly caustic, and of two strengths, the weakest being 8° B., and the strongest 25° to 30° B. For eighteen barrels, prepare 400 gallons of lye, with good potash made caustic with lime; and put a third of it in the kettle, and then add 52 pounds of suet, and as much of lard. When the whole is melted, pour in 70 gallons of olive oil, and leave the liquor to settle for two hours; kindle the fire anew, and turn 19 gallons of lye into the kettle. As soon as ebullition commences, add from time to time a little lye in order toallay the frotbing. Continue this addition until the liquor in the kettle has been reduced one-half. At this time examine whether the soap has been dosed too little or too much with lye. This test, or proof, should be made frequently during the saponification. It is merely to withdraw a sample from the kettle upon a spatula and to examine it. If it becomes whitish, and falls in short pieces, it is too alkaline, and requires oil; if, on the contrary,lye is needed,it drops in long, ropy strings. If it is proper, that is, deficient neither in lye nor in oil, the sample should be viscid, white, and semi-transparent. Then the fire must be extinguished, and the soap run off into barrels. It may be as well to say that, after the second time the fire is kindled, the soap should be kept in lively ebullition, until its preparation is well advanced; and, at that point, it must be carefully managed until the soap has acquired its requisite clarification. Crown Soap (second quality).—For this soap, take 286 pounds of suet or tallow; lye, 135 gallons; sperm oil, 80 gallons. Place in the kettle, first, 94 gallons of lye and the tallow, and when the latter is melted, add the oil, and put out the fire. Two hours after kindle it anew, add 19 gallons of lye, and carry the whole to boiling, and keep it so until the soap becomes half made. Then dose with 9 gallons of lye, and finally resume and continue the ebullition, taking care to add the remaining 9 gallons of lye to finish the soap. Green Soft Soap.—Two hundred and seventy-three gallons of whale or cod-liver oil, and 400 pounds of tallow are put THE FABRICATION OF SOAPS. Previous Next
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