What Is Paraffin Wax Actually?

ByLevi Perez

What is paraffin wax?

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid made 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) [1].

Although the compounds that make up paraffin wax vary, it mostly consists of straight chain n-alkanes including octacosane (C28H58), hexatriacontane (C36H74), and tetracontane (C40H84). The molecules are mostly linear with little branching or ring formation. Because of its large number of carbon atoms and linear nature, paraffin wax has a high molecular weight and melting point compared to similarly sized molecules. The long hydrocarbon chains also make it hydrophobic and chemically inert.

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum during the refining process. It is extracted from crude oil either directly or as a byproduct of extracting other petroleum products. It can also be produced synthetically from either petroleum, coal, oil shale, or natural gas sources.

Origins and 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 the components of wood tar and peat tar. Reichenbach discovered paraffin wax could be extracted from distilling the heavy residue leftover from refining crude oil. This marked the first time a useful material was extracted from petroleum.

In the mid-1800s, paraffin wax grew popular as a cheap alternative to sperm oil and beeswax for candle making. Paraffin candles were cleaner, odorless, and burned longer than other types of candles. Paraffin wax was also an early form of wax used for sealing jars and cans to preserve food. By the early 1900s, paraffin wax emerged as an ingredient in waxes for leather products, polishes, and lubricants.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin_wax

https://www.crownoil.co.uk/guides/paraffin-guide-uses-history-more/

Manufacturing process

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. It is extracted during the refining of crude oil. Crude oil is first separated into different fractions through a process called fractional distillation. The lighter fractions like gasoline, kerosene and diesel are separated out first. The heavier fractions that remain contain paraffin wax.

paraffin wax is extracted from petroleum through a process called solvent dewaxing.

These heavier fractions undergo a process called solvent dewaxing to isolate the paraffin wax. The fractions are chilled and mixed with solvents like MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) or toluene. This causes the paraffin wax to crystallize and solidify. The solid wax crystals are then separated from the oil through filtering. The wax is refined further to remove oils, resins and solvents. This produces pure paraffin wax (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin_wax).

Paraffin wax can be refined through additional processing like bleaching and modifying the oil content to produce different grades of wax with varying properties. Fully refined paraffin wax is odorless and colorless. The manufacturing process turns crude oil into a versatile wax used in a wide variety of applications.

Chemical properties

Paraffin wax is composed primarily of straight-chain alkanes ranging from approximately C20 to C40, though the exact composition varies based on the source of the paraffin.[1] The main chemical properties of paraffin wax are:

  • Melting point – Paraffin wax typically has a melting point between 46-68°C (115-154°F), though it depends on the hydrocarbon chain lengths. Longer chain lengths result in higher melting points.[1]
  • Density – Paraffin wax has a density ranging from 0.78-0.98 g/cm3 at 25°C. Density increases with longer hydrocarbon chains.[2]
  • Chemical formula – The chemical formula for paraffin wax is CnH2n+2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the alkane chain. So it is a mixture of various alkanes based on that formula.[3]

The key chemical characteristics of paraffin wax are its alkane hydrocarbon composition, melting point, and density. These properties make it useful for applications like candles, cosmetics, polishes, and more.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin_wax
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/paraffin-wax
[3] https://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB2854418.htm

Physical properties

Paraffin wax is typically colorless or white, but can be dyed various colors. It exists as a solid at room temperature, with a melting point between about 46°C and 68°C.[1]

Paraffin wax is odorless and tasteless.[2] It has a density of around 0.9 g/cm3. Paraffin wax is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters.[3]

Some key physical properties of paraffin wax include:[1][3]

  • Appearance: White or colorless solid
  • Odor: Odorless
  • Density: ~0.9 g/cm3
  • Melting Point: 46–68°C
  • Solubility in Water: Insoluble

Paraffin wax is nonpolar and hydrophobic due to its hydrocarbon composition. This determines many of its physical properties like low solubility in water.

Uses of Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax has a wide variety of uses and applications in everyday products and industrial settings. Some of the most common uses of paraffin wax include:

Candles

Candles made from paraffin wax were first developed as an alternative to tallow candles in the mid-1800s. Paraffin wax is now the most common type of wax used for candles. It burns cleanly and consistently, with a scentless flame. The hardness of paraffin wax allows candles to hold their shape and burn slowly.[1]

Cosmetics

Paraffin wax has many applications in cosmetics and skin care products. It can help smooth and soften skin and is commonly found in lotions, creams, lip balms, and facial masks. Paraffin wax is also used in waxing hair removal techniques. Heated paraffin wax baths are sometimes used in spas and for therapeutic treatments to moisturize hands and feet.[2]

Food

Food-grade paraffin wax is used to coat the inside of some juice and milk cartons to help preserve freshness and prevent leaking. It also seals in flavor in products like jelly candy. Paraffin wax can coat candy to give it a shiny finish. The FDA approves the use of paraffin wax coatings in packaging that comes into contact with food.[3]

[1] https://blendedwaxes.com/blog/uses-paraffin-wax/
[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/paraffin-wax
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin_wax

Health and safety

Paraffin wax on its own is generally considered non-toxic and safe for human contact and ingestion in small quantities. However, there has been some concern over toxicity and safety when it comes to paraffin candles.

Studies have found that paraffin candles release harmful chemicals like toluene and benzene into the air when burned, which can cause issues like headaches, lung irritation, and nausea in some people (https://happywax.com/blogs/from-the-blog/7-health-issues-caused-by-paraffin-wax). The soot emitted from paraffin candles may also contain carcinogenic compounds.

Proper ventilation when burning paraffin candles is recommended. Certain additive-free, high-quality paraffin candles may produce less soot and fumes. Paraffin wax on skin is considered non-toxic, but some may experience skin irritation or drying with repeated exposure, so gloves are recommended for handling.

Alternative waxes like soy, beeswax, and coconut wax are often marketed as safer, cleaner-burning options compared to paraffin candles. But more research is still needed on their relative safety and environmental impact.

Workers who frequently handle paraffin wax are advised to use proper ventilation, gloves, and other protective equipment. With reasonable safety precautions, pure paraffin wax itself appears to pose minimal health risks according to current research.

Environmental impact

Paraffin wax raises some concerns regarding its environmental impact and biodegradability. Since paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, it is not considered a renewable or sustainable resource. As a result, some view paraffin as being problematic from an environmental standpoint.

One of the main concerns is that paraffin wax is not biodegradable, meaning it does not break down easily in the environment. According to a 2018 study published in Frontiers in Marine Science, paraffin wax particles were found in ocean sediment samples around the world, indicating the material persists in the environment (Suaria et al.). However, more research is still needed to fully understand the long-term ecological effects of paraffin wax pollution in oceans.

Some also argue paraffin wax production and burning contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and degrades air quality. The processing of crude oil to make paraffin wax requires energy and creates carbon dioxide emissions. Burning candles or other paraffin products also generates some air pollutants. However, there is limited data to quantify paraffin’s total environmental impact and how it compares to other wax sources.

While paraffin raises some eco-concerns, there are also arguments that its environmental effects are relatively small, especially compared to other everyday products derived from fossil fuels. But many manufacturers and consumers are moving toward more natural wax alternatives, like soy wax, as a way to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.

Comparisons to other waxes

Paraffin wax is commonly compared to other waxes like beeswax, soy wax, and mineral oil. Each wax has its own unique properties and uses.

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. It has a honey-like scent and is more brittle than paraffin wax. Beeswax is non-toxic and biodegradable. It is commonly used in cosmetics, furniture polish, art materials like crayons, and candles. Compared to paraffin, beeswax burns cleaner and is more expensive (Lonestarcandlesupply.com, 2022).

Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It is a renewable and natural wax. Soy wax burns slower and cooler than paraffin wax. It is also biodegradable and non-toxic. Soy wax is growing in popularity for candles and other applications. However, soy wax is more expensive than paraffin wax (Lonestarcandlesupply.com, 2022).

Mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct and derived from crude oil like paraffin wax. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Mineral oil is used in skin care products, as a laxative, and as a lubricant. Compared to paraffin wax, mineral oil is a liquid at room temperature. It is also non-toxic and inert (Blendedwaxes.com, 2015).

Future outlook

The future outlook for paraffin wax indicates some key trends in usage and alternatives. According to https://www.poth-hille.co.uk/the-future-of-paraffin-wax/, demand for paraffin wax is expected to continue growing in applications like candles, rubber, paints and coatings. However, there is increasing interest in plant-based and biodegradable wax alternatives given environmental concerns around paraffin’s petroleum origins.

One promising paraffin alternative is soy wax, made from soybean oil. Soy wax is renewable and biodegradable. It is growing in popularity for candle making, though it does have some technical limitations compared to paraffin currently. Beeswax is another potential substitute, though it can be more expensive. Research is ongoing into fully biobased synthetic waxes as well.

While paraffin wax is expected to maintain dominance in major industrial applications, its petroleum origins will continue facing scrutiny. Suppliers like Poth Hille anticipate paraffin will remain viable for years to come, but also aim to offer sustainable options as the market evolves. The outlook will depend on balancing performance, economics and environmental impact as new alternatives emerge.

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