What is Paraffin Wax?
Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid derivable from petroleum, coal or oil shale, that consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between twenty and forty carbon atoms. These waxes are categorized by oil content and the degree of refinement.
The crudest versions fall into the slack wax category and contain between 7% to 20% oil.
Next on the step of refinement are scale waxes containing between 0.5% to 7% oil that are called Semi Refined Paraffin Wax.
The highest grade of refinement is the Fully Refined Petroleum wax that has maximum 0.5% oil.
Paraffin wax, colorless or white, somewhat translucent, hard wax consisting of a mixture of solid straight-chain hydrocarbons ranging in melting point from about 52° to 66° C (120° to 150° F).
It is solid at room temperature and begins to melt above approximately 37 °C (99 °F) its boiling point is >370 °C (698 °F) Common applications for paraffin wax include lubrication, electrical insulation,rubber, and candles. It is distinct from kerosene, another petroleum product that is sometimes called paraffin. Paraffin wax are semi refined and fully refined type. Semi refined is large used for making rubber product.
Production Process
Crude oil is the primary source of paraffin wax, which is produced by oil refineries into fuels and lubricants. The lubricant product is made from atmospheric distillation residue, which is then processed into a finished product called slack wax.
This byproduct is a mixture of Petroleum wax and oil, with a 40% oil content depending on the material’s origin. Another advanced process is the conversion of natural gas, gasified coal, and biomass into synthetic fuels. Commercially processing slack wax is more economical than natural gas conversion, but recent industry changes and environmental concerns have led manufacturers to adopt advanced manufacturing processes and natural gas as feedstock.
Refineries can obtain paraffin wax from slack wax through various methods, including the oldest method of applying pressure to separate oil from wax and filter the recovered wax.
Application
Food Industry
Paraffin wax is a food additive commonly used as a shiny protective outer layer and a coating for hard cheeses. In agriculture, it is used in fertilisers as an anti-caking agent, a dust-binding coating and a moisture repellent.
Confectionery Industry
Paraffin wax is used as a glazing agent for candies and an ingredient in chewing gum.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Paraffin wax is used in pathology laboratories to impregnate tissue prior to sectioning thin samples for analysis. It is also used by forensic investigators to detect nitrates and nitrites on the hand of a shooting suspect.
Candle Industry
Paraffin wax is a component in the manufacture of candles.
Textiles & Leather Industry
Petroleum wax is used for coating cloth and leather goods.
Printing & Packaging Industry
In the Printing industry, Petroleum wax is used in ink for thermal printers, producing images with a shiny surface. It is also used to coat waxed paper.
Other Industries
Paraffin wax is used for lubrication and to prevent oxidation on the surface of iron and polished steel. It is also used as a sealant for cans, jars and bottles. In addition, Petroleum wax is used in mechanical thermostats and actuators for automotive, industrial, and domestic purposes because it expands considerably when it melts.
In the Electrical industry, Petroleum wax is used for electrical insulation.
The Rubber industry uses blends of Paraffin and micro waxes in rubber compounds to prevent the rubber from cracking. The wax forms a protective layer on the surface of the product and can act as a release agent when separating the item from its mould.
The Building industry uses Petroleum wax in building materials for thermal energy storage as it absorbs heat when it melts during the day and releases it again when it solidifies at night.
The Art industry uses Paraffin wax in crayons. Paraffin-based investment casting waxes are also used in casting metal and other materials in the lost wax process.
In the Sports industry, Paraffin wax is a constituent of surfboard wax, glide wax for skis and snowboards, and is used as a friction-reducer in skateboarding. It is also used as a thickening agent in paintballs.
In the Pyrotechnics industry, Petroleum wax is used to lubricate bullets (along with Beeswax and Olive Oil) and stabilize explosives.
In the Personal Care industry, Paraffin wax is used in moisturisers and toiletries such as Petroleum Jelly.
Types of Paraffin Wax
Petroleum wax has several types each for certain uses. Among them are:
Semi & Fully Refined Paraffin Wax: Most usages are in the making of candles and the production of wax paper.
Granulated Paraffin Wax: the color is white, the melting point is between 58-62°C. Usage: manufacturing of tires, art, making of candles, and cosmetic products.
Liquid Paraffin Wax: odourless, tasteless, and colourless. Cosmetics, hair care products, in pharmaceuticals and food, respectively.
Vaseline: odourless semi-solid, tasteless. Used in pomades for hair, ointments, and products for skin conditioning.
Fischer-Tropsch Wax: Synthetic Paraffin Wax-by-product produced by the manufacture of liquid fuel from coal and natural gas. Pharmaceutical applications, cosmetics, coatings, polymer processing.
Paraffin Wax Chemical Formula
Paraffin wax chemical formula is generalized as CnH2n+2. It consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. Different composition influences the wax’s specific properties, such as melting point and hardness.
Is it safe to use paraffin wax as an electrical insulator?
The safety of using paraffin wax as an electrical insulator is a topic of debate. While paraffin is a good insulator, it is also known for burning.
This raises concerns about the efficiency of battery-powered electrical projects. Petroleum wax, in the form of candle wax, was used in wax paper type capacitors before 1965, which could stand up to 400V DC with a thin layer of wax as its insulator.
Bee wax was also used on IF transformers, receiver RF tuning coils, and old-day audio transformers as isolators. It is crucial to ensure no heat builds up in parts like lamps and resistors in the circuit where the wax is used.
Paraffin wax color
It is typically white in appearance, but microcrystalline wax and petrolatum range from white to nearly dark brown. When melted, a thoroughly refined wax should be nearly colorless (water-white).
The absence of color is especially important in wax used for pharmaceutical applications or the production of food packaging. The hue of microcrystalline wax and petrolatum is important because of the application. Color may be irrelevant in some applications (for example, the production of corrosion inhibitors).
For almost colorless waxes, the Saybolt color test method (ASTM D156) is utilized, which involves placing a melted sample in a heated vertical tube alongside a second tube holding standard color disks.
An optical viewer enables for simultaneous viewing of both tubes. The sample’s level is reduced until its color is lighter than that of the standard; the color number above this level is the Saybolt color.
The test method for the color of petroleum products (ASTM DI500, IP 196) is for wax and petrolatum that are too dark for the Saybolt colorimeter. A liquid sample is placed in the test container, a glass cylinder of 30-35 min ID, and compared with colored glass disks ranging in value from 0-5 to 8-0, using a standard light source.
Packing
they can be packed In A Variety Of Formats. they can be delivered in Bulk Liquid (Via Tank Truck Or Railcar). they can be formed in Slabs (5 Kg). in Carton Boxes/Pp Bags, Free-Flowing them Granules (Packaged In Bags). Bulk Packaging In Jumbo Bags 600-1000 Kg.
