Question

What material do you use for making wicks for oil lamps?

Answer 1

We need to choose the material for wicks in such a way that it doesn’t melt under high heat and also is a good absorbent. Another factor that needs to be taken care of is that the wicks need to be affordable.

Complete step by step answer:

Oil lamps have been used since ancient times and unlike today, they were used for light and heat purposes. To burn the oil to get light and heat, a strip of porous material is used in the lamp and the strip is known as the wick. These strips are of various shapes and sizes and with variations in share and size, their oil-absorbing capacity and output light also vary.
The mechanism through which the oil is drawn from the container in the wick is known as Capillary action and this mechanism only prevents the wick from burning up instead of only the wick’s top as burnt as the flame burns just above the surface of the wick.
Cotton being ~90% cellulose has good absorbing power and also exhibits a sponging action which makes it suitable for wicks. Also, it is affordable and it does not melt under high heat.

Note:
Wicks can be made from other natural fibres such as flax or hemp. It is observed that round wicks burn in a cleaner way than flat wicks, whereas flat wicks provide bright lights. The other shapes in which wicks are available are triangle-shaped, crown shaped with pointed tips. The size of the wick determines the level of brightness and oil consumption.