candle wick

A candle wick is a wick specifically adapted for use in a candle. A candle wick works by providing a mechanism, known as capillary action, to transport the fuel, typically melted candle wax, to the flame. When the liquid fuel reaches the flame it then vaporizes and burns. Most candle wicks are impregnated or coated with wax to provide the initial fuel source when the candle is lit. While the wick is consumed in the process of burning a candle the real fuel for the flame is the melted wax. As such all wicks are treated with various flame-retardant solutions in a process known as mordanting. Without mordanting the wick would be destroyed by the flames and the flow of melted wax to the flame would cease.
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