Soybean oil as feedstock for the synthesis and characterization of a carnauba substitute and a study of the structure–function relationships

[Display omitted] •A method to synthesize a soybean oil-based carnauba wax substitute was developed.•Equivalent hardness and surface properties were achieved.•Structure–function relationships were demonstrated. A soybean oil-based carnauba substitute was developed, and structure–function relationships were established. Amide derivatives of saturated fatty acid showed higher hardness and melting point than ester derivatives having the same chain length. Increasing chain length using diacids increased hardness. The cinnamic ring was confirmed to contribute to surface shininess and smoothness. The addition of long-chain fatty alcohols increased the hardness of a C52 (carbon chain length of 52) diester. Overall, a material consisted of C52 polyamide (76.3wt%), C38 diamide (11.3wt%), and C29 diamide with a ring structure (12.4wt%) showed comparable hardness and surface properties as carnauba wax.