Paraffin Wax

What is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid derived from the de-waxing process of slack wax and mostly graded according to the oil content, ranging from 0.5% to maximum 20%.It is mostly found in two types of Fully-refined and Semi-refined, with a typical melting point between about 46 and 68 °C and a density of around 900 kg/m³. 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 kJ/g. Paraffin Wax offers excellent protection and water barrier properties making it ideal for coating cardboard and paper especially for the food industry. Due to its ability to blend with a variety of wax based products it forms an essential ingredient in polish, cosmetic and candle manufacturing. Paraffin Wax emulsion is mainly used as a construction chemical to protect concrete against corrosion.

Grades of paraffin wax:

1. Fully refined paraffin wax 0.5%: Fully refined paraffin wax below 0.5% oil content is the best and most expensive grade of paraffin wax used in medical, cosmetics and oily papers and also food industry it is a hard material, not easy to break, extra white, odorless and transparent.
2. Semi refined paraffin wax 1 to 1.5% oil content: In semi refined paraffin wax 1-1.5% oil content of light or heavy grade, the slabs of paraffin might contain 1%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5% oil content and have melt point of minimum 58 °C and maximum 60 °C (light grade) and 62 to 64 °C (heavy grade).
3. Semi refined paraffin wax 1 to 3% oil content: In semi refined paraffin wax 1-3% oil content light or heavy grade, the slabs of paraffin can have 1%, 1.1%, 1.4%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 2%, 2.2%, 2.5%, 2.8%, 3% oil content and melting can be minimum 58 °C and maximum 60 °C (light grade) and 62 to 64 °C (heavy grade).
4. Semi refined paraffin wax 3 to 5% oil content: In semi refined paraffin wax 1-3% oil content light or heavy grade, the slabs of paraffin contain 3% , 3.2%, 3.3%, 3.4%, 3.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 4%, 4.3%, 4.6%, 4.9%, 5% oil and have melting point of minimum 58°C and maximum 60 °C (light grade) and 62-64 °C (heavy grade).
5. Semi refined paraffin wax 5 to 7% oil content: In semi refined paraffin wax 5-7% oil content light or heavy grade, the slabs of paraffin can have 5%, 5.2%, 5.3%, 5.4%, 5.7%, 5.8%, 5.9%, 6%, 6.3%, 6.6%, 6.9%, 7% oil content and melting point of 58°C to 60 °C (light grade) and 62 to 64 °C heavy grade).
6. Semi refined paraffin wax 7 to 10% oil content: In semi refined paraffin wax 7-10% oil content light or heavy grade, the slabs of paraffin have 7%, 7.2%, 7.3%, 7.4%, 7.7%, 7.8%, 7.9%, 8%, 8.3%, 8.6%, 8.9%, 10% oil content and melting point of minimum 58 °C and maximum 60 °C (light grade) and 62-64 °C (heavy grade). Semi refined paraffin wax 7-10% oil content heavy grade is commonly used in warm weather and light grade in cold weather countries.

Applications:

• Candles, torches, tapers, matches, floor polishes
• Car polishes, corrosion protectors
• Electrical industries, cable filling compounds
• Tires and rubber products, as ozone protection
• Carbon paper, crayons and pencils
• Paper production