Glitter is a material made of very small, reflective particles. It has been used for centuries in various forms, but it has become more popular in recent years as a crafting material.
Glitter is no doubt spectacular as it is memorable and reflects playfulness. It remains some crafter’s favorite embellishment bringing dull things to life and making them pop. But is glitter flammable?
Glitter can be flammable and the sparkles in glitter make it appear to be much more dangerous than it really is. While the tiny pieces of glitter might not ignite easily if there is a large enough fire and enough glitter in the vicinity, it could potentially ignite.
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What Is Glitter and How Does It Work?
Glitter is a type of decoration that is made up of small pieces of reflective material. It is often used in arts and crafts, but can also be found on clothing, makeup, and other decorative items.
Glitter is created with a variety of light reflection effects, which is why it is so popular. It can be made of various materials including paper and plastic, metal, glass, mineral crystals, and even biodegradable matter.
However, each material reacts differently with heat and can ignite or burn. For this reason, it is important to take precautions when using glitter near heat sources or in an environment where there is a risk of fire.
What Is Glitter Made Of?
Glitter is made of small, reflective particles. The most commercially available glitter is made of plastic or aluminum. Glitters can be made with any reflective material in small pieces, but glass and metals are the most common.
Most cosmetic glitter is made of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. The rounded edges on the glitter prevent it from cutting the skin when applied.
Glitter is also composed of powdered sugar and is used in a variety of applications, such as decorations, makeup, and tattoos. However, if ingested, glitter can be harmful. Additionally, if the glitter gets into someone’s eyes, it can cause irritation.
Is Glitter Flammable?
Yes, glitter is flammable. Glitter is made of small, combustible particles that can easily be ignited by a naked flame.
The small size of the glitter particles means that they may burn due to their increased fuel-to-oxygen ratio near open flames.
Is Glitter Toxic?
Glitter is a popular craft supply, but it’s important to be aware of the dangers it poses. Glitter is made up of tiny pieces of plastic, which are known as microplastics.
These particles can be harmful to both the human body and the environment. They can cause health problems if ingested and are a major contributor to environmental pollution.
Read Also: Is Resin Flammable?
Is It Safe to Burn Glitter Candles?
Burning glitter candles is unsafe for a few reasons. For one, glitter is flammable, so it can easily ignite and start a fire. Additionally, the chunks of glitter can easily be blown out of the candle’s flame and potentially cause a fire elsewhere.
Finally, if too much glitter is applied to the candle, it will create more sparks that could lead to a dangerous blaze. There are also non-flammable glitter options that can be used without any safety concerns.
Craft Glitter
Craft glitter is a popular choice of decoration for many crafting projects. It comes in a variety of colors and shapes and is often used for school projects, DIY paper crafts, costumes, party decorations, and other short-term items.
However, it should be noted that craft glitter is made out of paper and PVC which makes it flammable.
In case you’re wondering, it is not safe to burn glitter candles. The reason being that this type of glitter is made out of paper and PVC which makes it flammable.
It also has a low 212 F burn point and will burn if you add it to a flame. So, if you’re looking for a craft project that doesn’t involve fire, we suggest going with something else!
Polyester Glitter
It is structurally stronger, remains stable in the long run, blends with most solvents, and has higher heat resistance than craft glitter.
Polyester glitter is fabricated from polyester or PET. Current manufacturing trends treat PET to be flame retardant making this glitter safer for burning candles.
The glitter has a high burning point of 350 F and the particles’ fineness makes this type of glitter inflammable in most cases. If they are affected at all, the pieces will simply melt into the wax.
However, there’s the air pollution aspect to think about. PET contains microplastics that release potentially toxic fumes when burnt; such emissions may be detrimental to the air quality, and you are likely to inhale it.
Cosmetic Grade Glitter
Cosmetic grade glitter is just about the same as polyester glitter, only that it is colored with non-toxic pigments and is certified to be skin-safe. Non-toxic PET, sometimes lined with aluminum, makes up cosmetic grade glitter.
Both of these materials are ordinarily not flammable. Though a flame is nothing ordinary, one must exercise caution when using cosmetic grade glitter in a candle. It should, however, be explicitly indicated as safe for that purpose
Crushed Glass Glitter
Crushed glass glitter is safe for burning candles. Crush sparkly crystals to make your next candle decoration! Glass can be very sparkly in a flame, so be sure any added coatings are also inflammable before applying.
Mica Powder
Mica Powder is a safe glitter alternative for candles. It is made of colored minerals with a subtle glisten and is inflammable. Mica must be mixed into the wax melts to give candles a hint of shine and twinkle on the wax pool once it begins to melt.
It is easier to use mica powder in place of glitter because it doesn’t clog the candle’s wick, has more chance of having a healthy flame, and goes throughout the whole candle instead of just on top like glitter does
Mica is used as a glittery layer throughout candles to create a more overall glittery effect. It can also be used as a glittery layer throughout the whole candle if desired.
What Glitter Is Safe To Put In Candles?
Cosmetic grade glitter, like shimmer dust, is safe to use in skin and candles. Crushed glass or crystal glitter is the safest option for candles.
Sometimes manufacturers add an extra paint coat to give crushed glass or crystal glitter an extra twinkle, which makes it unsafe for candles.
Mica powder is a safe and affordable alternative to glitter that gives candles a shimmering effect. Mica powder should be mixed with the wax melt before being added to the candle, and will only work when lit up.
Read Also: Is Freon Flammable?