::Heinz Jansen - Technische Geflechte: wick treatment::

The wick treatment typically has 3 basic purposes:

(1) Cleaning (Washing)

To remove remaining particles of tree wax, cotton plants and other impurities from the cotton yarn

(2) Bleaching

The bleaching of wicks is purely cosmetic and has no effect on the burning characteristics of the wick. Therefore, it is not necessary and, for environmental reasons, not even recommended.

(3) Impregnation

This is by far the most important treatment for a wick. The various chemical salts used for wick impregnation have the following purposes:

(a)	Ensure a regular and clear flame.
(b)	Induce the necessary bending of the wick.
(c)	Strengthen the wick stability.
(d)	Cause the self trimming of the wick while burning.
(e)	Stop and/or reduce the after glowing of the wick after the flame has been extinguished.
(f)	Regulate the flame temperature through the infusion of oxygen carriers.
(g)	Improve the capillary attraction of the wick.
(h)	Make wick resistant against acids found in vegetable waxes, for example: stearic acids.