EVAPORATING WAX (CYCLODODECANE)

Evaporating wax Cyclododecane. available from Kremer-Pigment sublimates (turns directly from a solid to a gas) at room temperature . It disappears without leaving any residue. It is used in archaeology, restoration, and conservation for temporary fixation and support of weak and fragile materials such as paper, textile, canvas, and ceramic. Conservators also use it as a sealant, water-repellent barrier, coating, gap filler, and separation layer. It is usually applied as a melt (melting point is ~65°C) but it can also be dissolved in, for example, isooctane or naphthas and then applied.

The wax adheres on most surfaces when melted or dissolved; a film of 1 mm needs about 30 days to totally evaporate, whereas a sprayed film evaporates faster. It is hydrophobic but can be removed with petroleum spirit. It is believed to be non-toxic.

Suggested used are to create a time-dependent self-opening seal or valve. The sprayed variant is white in appearance and could be used at Christmas as artificial snow spray for windows.