Voks

Voks is the Danish and Norwegian word for wax, referring to the class of substances that are solid or semi-solid at room temperature, malleable when warmed, and insoluble in water. In these languages, voks covers natural and synthetic waxes, including beeswax and plant or mineral waxes, as well as waxes produced for industrial and consumer use. The term appears in common compound forms describing typical applications, such as candle wax and hair wax.

Chemically, most waxes are high-molecular-weight lipids. Natural waxes consist mainly of long-chain esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, often mixed with hydrocarbons. They are generally hydrophobic, have relatively high melting points, and form protective coatings or lubricating layers. Common examples include beeswax, carnauba wax, paraffin wax, and microcrystalline wax, as well as various petroleum-derived waxes used in cosmetics and industry.

Voks has wide-ranging applications across daily life and manufacturing. Candles rely on wax for combustion and form; in personal care, waxes are used in products such as lip balms and hair styling formulations. In coatings and finishes, waxes provide water resistance and a smooth surface for wood, metal, or fruits. Food applications include edible coatings and fruit coatings, while industrial uses encompass lubricants, molds, and packaging processes. Safety and handling depend on the specific wax type and formulation, with attention to inhalation of dust and suitability for contact with skin or food.

Etymology and cognates: the Danish and Norwegian term is cognate with the English word wax, reflecting a shared Germanic linguistic heritage and a long history of wax production and use in northern Europe.