Final answer:
Materials such as natural oils, fatty acids, and esters like myricyl palmitate are used to soften the consistency of waxes, altering their melting points and making them more pliable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The material used to soften the consistency of wax can vary depending on the type of wax and the intended application. Natural oils, fatty acids, and various ester compounds like myricyl palmitate from beeswax, or synthetically produced polyethylene and polypropylene waxes, are commonly used to alter the properties of wax. For example, adding oils to beeswax can lower its melting point and make it softer and more pliable. Beeswax on its own has a melting point of 62-65 °C, which can be adjusted based on the additional materials blended into it. Waxes are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water, a characteristic that is useful in applications like car waxes where it forms a protective, water-resistant coating.