Paraffin wax
Paraffin wax is a soft colorless solid, derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil, 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, its boiling point is >370 °C. …
Is paraffin wax the same as candle wax?
The key difference between paraffin wax and candle wax is that paraffin wax is a form of wax that we produce from petroleum, coal or shale oil whereas candle wax is any form of wax that we can use to make candles. Paraffin wax is a form of candle wax because we can produce candles using paraffin wax. There are some other forms of waxes as well.
Is paraffin wax bad for the environment?
Unfortunately, petroleum-based paraffin wax is bad for the environment. Alternative types of candles that burn cleanly without polluting the environment should be used instead of or simply switching to a petroleum-free lifestyle. Paraffin wax is bad for our environment and the world around us with its non-biodegradable properties.
Is there a difference between pectin wax and paraffin wax?
Waxes and paraffin would seem to refer to the same thing, and perhaps to some extent, the words are used interchangeably. In fact, paraffin is sometimes called paraffin wax or petroleum wax. Nevertheless, technically, they are different, and the difference should interest us. Let’s begin with what a wax is.
Is paraffin a natural wax?
Since paraffin wax comes from crude oil – which is a natural resource – it can be considered a natural product. But it is important to remember that just because a product is natural, it doesn’t mean that it is eco-friendly or sustainable. It all boils down to how the product is collected, produced, and disposed of.
What is paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft, solid wax. It’s made from saturated hydrocarbons. It’s often used in skin-softening salon and spa treatments on the hands, cuticles, and feet because it’s colorless, tasteless, and odorless. It can also be used to provide pain relief to sore joints and muscles. Paraffin wax has many other uses, too.
How to melt paraffin wax at home?
If you have nail polish on, remove it before starting the process. Wash your hands well and dry them with a lint-free towel. To melt the wax: Add four pounds of paraffin wax to the top of a double boiler.
How to make wax from a wax boiler?
Add water to the bottom of the boiler and place it on the stove over low heat. Add one cup of mineral oil to the wax. When the wax is completely melted, take the boiler off the stove. Carefully pour the wax into a greased plastic container. Wait for a thin skin to form on the top of the wax.
How much does a paraffin wax bath cost?
The cost of a paraffin wax treatment varies greatly by salon, starting from around $15. It generally takes around 30 minutes.
Why does paraffin wax make you swell?
If you have a chemical sensitivity , you may develop minor swelling or breakouts from the wax treatment. That’s because paraffin comes from petroleum products. If you’re doing a paraffin wax treatment at home, take care not to heat the wax too much, as it may catch fire.
How long does it take to remove wax from your hand?
After 15 to 20 minutes, remove your hand from the mitt or towel and the plastic bag. Use soft tissue to remove the wax residue from your skin. Apply moisturizer all over your hand.
How long to put wax on foot?
Then place it in an oven mitt or wrap it in a towel for 15 to 20 minutes.
Where Does It Come From?
Paraffin wax is classified as a petroleum wax. It comes from petroleum, coal and oil shale. Paraffin wax is separated from the oil through crystallization. Although paraffin wax comes from a natural source, it usually isn’t considered a natural wax.
What Are The Properties Of Paraffin Wax?
Paraffin wax is solid at room temperature and melts around 120° to 150℉. It is a colorless wax and appears white or slightly translucent. Synthetic paraffin wax is harder than the natural version and is a solid white color.
How Is It Used?
Chances are you use a product that contains paraffin wax each day. It is used as a lubricator for many products, including skis, surfboards and bullets. It is also a great waterproofing agent for matches and wood. Food-grade paraffin wax is used in chewing gum and as a coating on cheese and candy. Crayons, candles and cosmetics also use the wax.
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