What is paraffin wax?
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.
When was paraffin candle wax invented?
Paraffin wax was discovered in 1830; it was found to be cleaner to burn and more reliable material for making candles than tallow. It was not commercially produced until the 1850s when wider-scale industrial techniques were designed for faster production of lubricating oil.
What is paraffin candle made of?
Paraffin candle. Paraffin wax is a soft colourless solid, derived from petroleum, coal or oil shale, that consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between twenty and forty carbon atoms. It is solid at room temperature and begins to melt above approximately 37 °C (99 °F); its boiling point is >370 °C (698 °F).
What is the heat of combustion of paraffin wax?
Paraffin is unaffected by most common chemical reagents but burns readily. Its heat of combustion is 42 MJ/kg. The hydrocarbon C 31 H 64 is a typical component of paraffin wax.
What section is paraffin wax in?
canning supplies sectionFood-grade paraffin wax is also called baker's wax or canning wax. It can typically be found in the canning supplies section of most grocery stores. You can generally purchase it in blocks, liquid form, or as easy-to-measure beads. Gulf Wax is a popular brand of paraffin used for canning and making chocolate treats.Mar 16, 2019
Do Walmart candles have paraffin wax?
Wax General Purpose for Candles, Canning- 1 pound Block By Paraffin Wax Works - Walmart.com.
Does Walmart have Gulf wax?
Gulf Wax Household Paraffin Wax, 16 oz (4 Pack) - Walmart.com.
How do you get paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax is obtained from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks. It is used in candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, and electrical insulators. It assists in extracting perfumes from flowers, forms a base for medical ointments, and supplies a waterproof coating for wood.
Is paraffin wax toxic?
Paraffin Wax It is from the lube oil refining process that paraffin waxes are created. Paraffin wax is a natural product that has these general properties: Non-Toxic - meaning that paraffin wax is not poisonous.Apr 16, 2018
Is all paraffin wax the same?
Paraffin wax refers to wax derived from coal, petroleum or oil shale. On the other hand, candle wax refers to a form of wax that is used to make candles. The main difference, however, is that paraffin is derived from coal, petroleum or oil shale while candle wax is derived from any type of wax.
How much paraffin wax do I add to chocolate?
Using paraffin wax in chocolate candy making: Use 1/4 bar (1-ounce) paraffin wax per 1 (12-ounce) package of semisweet chocolate chips. I use parowax also when making some Christmas candies. Just melt it with the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot water.
What can I use instead of paraffin wax in chocolate?
Almond barkAlmond bark is made of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. It can be used as a substitute for chocolate itself, to hold confections like gingerbread houses together, or as a substitute for paraffin wax as an additive to chocolates.
What temperature does paraffin wax melt at?
between approximately 115 and 154 °FParaffin wax is a white, odorless solid with a typical melting point between approximately 115 and 154 °F (46 and 68 °C) having a density of approximately 0.9 g/cm3. Wax has low thermal conductivity, a high heat capacity, and is insoluble in water.
What is paraffin wax used for in pedicure?
Paraffin pedicures soften and moisturize the feet. A paraffin pedicure is a spa treatment during which paraffin wax is applied to the feet in order to moisturize the skin on the feet. Some spas, however, dip a ladle full of wax into a plastic bag, then fit the foot into the bag and form the wax around the foot.
Are candles paraffin wax?
Most candles are made from paraffin because it is inexpensive, durable and takes scent and color well. If a candle is made from a more expensive specialty wax, that will be advertised prominently on the label.
How do you make paraffin wax at home?
Step 1: Melt the waxAdd four pounds of paraffin wax to the top of a double boiler. ... Add one cup of mineral oil to the wax.When the wax is completely melted, take the boiler off the stove. ... Wait for a thin skin to form on the top of the wax.Check the temperature of the wax with a thermometer.
Where is paraffin wax found?
If you’re like me and don’t enjoy blindly walking into a grocery store, then let me fill you in on this handy tip: paraffin wax is likely to be located in the canning section. Since paraffin wax is so heavily used for canning purposes, it’s likely to be found hanging around this aisle.
Is paraffin wax food grade?
Paraffin wax can sometimes be tricky to locate. And, even when you think you scored, you realize it’s not food grade. Oh, no! Don’t panic – just keep reading. Let’s go find some paraffin wax, friends.
Is Amazon paraffin wax safe?
Amazon tends to be a safe, efficient, and quick option. As you can see, there are a lot of different quantity sizes, so find the one that is right for you and your needs. The most important thing to remember when shopping for paraffin wax is that you must find paraffin wax that is food grade and safe for human consumption.
Does Kroger have paraffin wax?
Yes! Much like Walmart, Kroger tends to have a huge supply of materials and ingredients, so finding paraffin wax should not be a struggle. It should be located with the canning items here, too.
Why do we use paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax is sprayed on many varieties of fruits and vegetables largely to prevent them from rotting, but with the added benefit of making them look shiny beneath the lights in the produce section of the grocery store . Dyes may be added to the wax, especially on fruits like apples and oranges, for the same reason.
How much oil is in paraffin wax?
According to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, food-grade paraffin wax differs from the industrial-grade type by being fully refined with an oil content often less than 0.5% and no more than 1.0% of its total molecular weight.
Why is paraffin wax used in chocolate?
Utilizing paraffin wax in foods helps retain moisture , reduces mold growth and prevents spoiling. Added to candy and chocolate, it prevents these confections from melting at room temperature and allows them to keep their beautiful glossy shine.
What is the waste product of paraffin?
A waste product from this process called “slack wax” is used as the base for paraffin. The “slack” is heated then mixed with a solvent. It is then distilled to remove the solvent and produces the solid known as paraffin wax. In some cases, such as if the wax is going to be used for crafting candles, odors and dyes may be added before packaging ...
When was paraffin wax discovered?
What is Paraffin Wax? Paraffin wax was discovered in 1830; it was found to be cleaner to burn and more reliable material for making candles than tallow. It was not commercially produced until the 1850s when wider-scale industrial techniques were designed for faster production of lubricating oil.
Can you buy candy in bead form?
Many candy makers prefer buying it in bead form, since it’s easier to measure and melt. Be sure to look for product marked as “food grade” if you intend on using it in chocolate making or canning.
Can you add dye to wax?
Dyes may be added to the wax, especially on fruits like apples and oranges, for the same reason. Paraffin wax has been an additive in chewing gum since the mid-1850’s. Historically more common uses for the material included being made into a coating for cheeses or as a seal for jars of homemade jams and jellies.
What is paraffin wax used for?
It is also used as a waterproof coating on matches and wood. Plus, it is a great lubricator for skis, surfboards and bullets. Food-grade paraffin wax is found in chewing gum and candy and as a coating on fruits and vegetables.
Can you melt paraffin wax in a double boiler?
We recommend melting paraffin wax in a container with temperature controls. You can use a double boiler for dipping, but we don’t recommend using it to melt the wax for safety reasons.
Overview
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 twenty and forty carbon atoms. It is solid at room temperature and begins to melt above approximately 37 °C (99 °F), and its boiling point is above 370 °C (698 °F). Common applications for paraffin wax include lubrication, elec…
Properties
Paraffin wax is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid, with a typical melting point between about 46 and 68 °C (115 and 154 °F), and a density of around 900 kg/m . It is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters. Paraffin is unaffected by most common chemical reagents but burns readily. Its heat of combustion is 42 MJ/kg.
History
Paraffin wax was first created in 1830 by the German chemist Karl von Reichenbach when he tried to develop the means to efficiently separate and refine the waxy substances naturally occurring in petroleum. Paraffin represented a major advance in the candlemaking industry because it burned cleanly and reliably and was cheaper to manufacture than any other candle fuel. Paraffin wax initially suffered from a low melting point; however, this shortcoming was later remedied by the …
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 sol…
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 origina…
Occupational safety
People can be exposed to paraffin in the workplace by breathing it in, skin contact, and eye contact. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set a recommended exposure limit (REL) for paraffin wax fume exposure of 2 mg/m over an 8-hour workday.
See also
• Oligomer
• Ozokerite
External links
• "Odd Uses of Paraffin", Scientific American, 13 July 1878, p. 19