Paraffin wax

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the wax. For the fuel, see kerosene.

Paraffin wax

Identifiers

CAS Number

8002-74-2

E number E905 (glazing agents, ...)

UNII

I9O0E3H2ZE

CompTox Dashboard (EPA)

DTXSID7027673 Edit this at Wikidata

Properties

Chemical formula CnH2n+2

Appearance White solid[1]

Odor Odorless

Boiling point > 370 °C (698 °F)

Solubility in water ~1 mg/L[1]

Hazards

Flash point 200–240 °C (392–464 °F; 473–513 K)[1]

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F],
100 kPa).

Infobox references

Paraffin candle

Paraffin wax (or petroleum wax) is a soft colorless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale that
consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. It is
solid at room temperature and begins to melt above approximately 37 °C (99 °F),[2] and its boiling
point is above 370 °C (698 °F).[2] Common applications for paraffin wax include lubrication, electrical
insulation, and candles;[3] dyed paraffin wax can be made into crayons.
Un-dyed, unscented paraffin candles are odorless and bluish-white. Paraffin wax was first created by
Carl Reichenbach in Germany in 1830 and marked a major advancement in candlemaking
technology, as it burned more cleanly and reliably than tallow candles and was cheaper to
produce.[4]

In chemistry, paraffin is used synonymously with alkane, indicating hydrocarbons with the general
formula CnH2n+2. The name is derived from Latin parum ("very little") + affinis, meaning "lacking
affinity" or "lacking reactivity", referring to paraffin's unreactive nature.[5]

Properties

Paraffin wax is mostly found as a white, odorless, flavourless, waxy solid, with a typical melting point
between about 46 and 68 °C (115 and 154 °F),[6] and a density of around 900 kg/m3.[7] It is insoluble
in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters. Paraffin is unaffected by most common
chemical reagents but burns readily.[8] Its heat of combustion is 42 MJ/kg.[9]

The hydrocarbon C31H64 is a typical component of paraffin wax.

Paraffin wax is an excellent electrical insulator, with a resistivity of between 1013 and 1017 ohm-
metre.[10] This is better than nearly all other materials except some plastics (notably PTFE). It is an
effective neutron moderator and was used in James Chadwick's 1932 experiments to identify the
neutron.[11][12]

Paraffin wax is an excellent material for storing heat, with a specific heat capacity of 2.14–2.9
J⋅g−1⋅K−1 (joules per gram per kelvin) and a heat of fusion of 200–220 J⋅g−1.[13] Paraffin wax phase-
change cooling coupled with retractable radiators was used to cool the electronics of the Lunar
Roving Vehicle during the crewed missions to the Moon in the early 1970s.[14] Wax expands
considerably when it melts and so is used in wax element thermostats for industrial, domestic and,
particularly, automobile purposes.[15][16]

If pure paraffin wax melted to the approximate flash point in a half open glass vessel which is then
suddenly cooled down, then its vapors may autoignite as result of reaching boiling liquid
pressure.[17]

History

Paraffin wax was first created in 1830 by German chemist Karl von Reichenbach when he attempted
to develop a method to efficiently separate and refine waxy substances naturally occurring in
petroleum. Paraffin represented a major advance in the candle-making industry because it burned
cleanly and was cheaper to manufacture than other candle fuels such as beeswax and tallow.
Paraffin wax initially suffered from a low melting point. This was remedied by adding stearic acid. The
production of paraffin wax enjoyed a boom in the early 20th century due to the growth of the oil and
meatpacking industries, which created paraffin and stearic acid as byproducts.[4]

Manufacturing

The feedstock for paraffin is slack wax, which is a mixture of oil and wax, a byproduct from the refining
of lubricating oil.

The first step in making paraffin wax is to remove the oil (de-oiling or de-waxing) from the slack wax.
The oil is separated by crystallization. Most commonly, the slack wax is heated, mixed with one or
more solvents such as a ketone and then cooled. As it cools, wax crystallizes out of the solution,
leaving only oil. This mixture is filtered into two streams: solid (wax plus some solvent) and liquid (oil
and solvent). After the solvent is recovered by distillation, the resulting products are called "product
wax" (or "press wax") and "foots oil". The lower the percentage of oil in the wax, the more refined it is
considered to be (semi-refined versus fully refined).[18] The product wax may be further processed to
remove colors and odors. The wax may finally be blended together to give certain desired properties
such as melt point and penetration. Paraffin wax is sold in either liquid or solid form.[19][20][21]

Applications

In industrial applications, it is often useful to modify the crystal properties of the paraffin wax,
typically by adding branching to the existing carbon backbone chain. The modification is usually done
with additives, such as EVA copolymers, microcrystalline wax, or forms of polyethylene. The
branched properties result in a modified paraffin with a higher viscosity, smaller crystalline structure,
and modified functional properties. Pure paraffin wax is rarely used for carving original models for
casting metal and other materials in the lost wax process, as it is relatively brittle at room
temperature and presents the risks of chipping and breakage when worked. Soft and pliable waxes,
like beeswax, may be preferred for such sculpture, but "investment casting waxes," often paraffin-
based, are expressly formulated for the purpose.

In a histology or pathology laboratory, paraffin wax is used to impregnate tissue prior to sectioning
thin samples. Water is removed from the tissue through ascending strengths of alcohol (75% to
absolute), and then the alcohol is cleared in an organic solvent such as xylene. The tissue is then
placed in paraffin wax for several hours, then set in a mold with wax to cool and solidify. Sections are
then cut on a microtome.

Other uses

Agent for preparation of specimens for histology

Anti-caking agent, moisture repellent, and dustbinding coatings for fertilizers

Antiozonant agents: blends of paraffin and micro waxes are used in rubber compounds to prevent
cracking of the rubber; the admixture of wax migrates to the surface of the product and forms a
protective layer. The layer can also act as a release agent, helping the product separate from its
mould.[22]

Bicycle chain lubrication

Bullet lubricant – with other ingredients, such as olive oil and beeswax

Candle-making

Coatings for waxed paper or waxed cotton

Component of surfboard wax, ski wax, and skateboard wax

Crayons

Food-grade paraffin wax:

Shiny coating used in candy-making; although edible, it is nondigestible, passing through the body
without being broken down

Coating for many kinds of hard cheese, like Edam cheese

Sealant for jars, cans, and bottles

Chewing gum additive

Forensic investigations: the nitrate test uses paraffin wax to detect nitrates and nitrites on the hand of
a shooting suspect

Fuel for fire breathing

Investment casting

Lava lamps

Manufacture of boiled leather armor and books

Mechanical thermostats and actuators, as an expansion medium for activating such devices[16][23]

Microwax:[24] food additive, a glazing agent with E number E905

Moisturiser in toiletries and cosmetics such as Vaseline.

Neutron radiation shielding

Phase change material for thermal energy storage

Used by MESSENGER (Mercury spacecraft), when the spacecraft was unable to radiate excessive
heat.[25][failed verification][dead link]

Phlegmatizing agent, commonly used to stabilise/desensitize high explosives such as RDX

Potting material to encapsulate electronic components such as guitar pickups, transformers, and
inductors, to prevent moisture ingress and to reduce electromagnetically induced acoustic noise and
microphonic effects

Prevents oxidation on the surface of polished steel and iron[26]

Solid ink color blocks of wax for thermal printers. The wax is melted and then sprayed on the paper
producing images with a shiny surface

Solid propellant for hybrid rocket motors[27][28]

Textile manufacturing processes, such as that used for Eisengarn thread

Thickening agent in many paintballs

Wax baths for occupational and physical therapies and cosmetic treatments

Wax carving

Wood finishing