carnauba wax (redirected from Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax)

carnauba wax

Very hard wax obtained from fronds of the carnauba tree, Copernicia cerifera, a fan palm of Brazil. During the regular dry seasons in Brazil, where it is called the tree of life, the carnauba palm protects its fanlike fronds from loss of moisture by secreting a coat of carnauba wax. Carnauba has been used in high-gloss polishes, phonograph records, and explosives. Synthetics have replaced it for many applications.

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carnauba wax [kār′nȯ·bə ′waks]

(materials)

The hardest natural wax, having a melting point of 85°C, exuded from the leaves of the carnauba palm (Carnauba cerifera); used for insulating purposes and in making candles, shoe polish, high-luster wax, varnishes, phonograph records, and surface coating of automobiles. Also known as Brazil wax.