Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a colorless, soft substance formed from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. Its crucial property is that it remains solid at room temperature and starts to melt above around 37 °C. Paraffin wax is soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters but insoluble in water. Most typical chemical reagents do not affect paraffin, yet it burns quickly. This chemical compound holds many other properties and comes in various grades, leading to many applications. Possible uses include cosmetics, lubrication, electrical insulation, candle and crayon production, waterproofing, and coating. As a result, many in-demand companies seek the international market to find a reliable paraffin wax exporter with pure products.

JAM Group Co. is a reputable paraffin wax manufacturer in Iran and Eastern Europe that provide various grades of this substance with different amounts of purity and superior properties. When buying paraffin wax, there are several factors to remember, such as its color, hardness, and whether it is dry or greasy, so it is essential to find a reliable provider. JAM Group Co., as a powerful Paraffin wax supplier and exporter, manages two well-equipped companies, one located in the Middle East and the other in Poland. It lets this company offer you an array of products from which you can choose your intended one. Moreover, This company also provides you with one of the most reasonable prices compared to other providers. For more information, please take a look at About Us.

 

What is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin Wax (petroleum wax) consists of solid saturated hydrocarbons of between 20 and 40 carbon atoms extracted from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. This chemical compound has a consistent appearance, is free of impurities, and is solid at room temperature. A transparent liquid made of melted paraffin should be free of water, pollutants, and apparent contaminants. Alkane, which has the molecular formula CnH2n+2, is typically connected with the name “paraffin” in chemistry. The Latin word affinis + parum, which means “without a reaction” and alludes to the non-reactive quality of paraffin, is the source of the name for this material.

It is solid at room temperature and melts at around 37 °C (99 °F), with a boiling point of more than 370 °C (698 °F). It differs from “paraffin,” a term sometimes used to refer to kerosene and other petroleum products. The majority of paraffin wax consists of a white, odorless, and tasteless waxy solid with a density of roughly 900 kg/m3 and a specific melting point of between 46 and 68 °C (115 and 154 °F). It holds other crucial properties, like:

  • It is soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters but insoluble in water;
  • It is unaffected by most typical chemical reagents, yet it burns quickly;
  • It has a 42 MJ/kg heat of combustion;
  • It served as a powerful neutron moderator (In James Chadwick’s 1932 neutron id tests);
  • It is a superb electrical insulator with a resistance ranging from 1013 to 1017 ohm meters;

Except for some plastics, it is superior to almost all other materials (notably Teflon).

Carl Reichenbach first developed this paraffin wax in Germany in 1830. Its invention heralded a significant improvement in candlemaking technique because it burned more consistently and cleanly than tallow candles and was less expensive.

Paraffin Wax is utilized in various industries, such as electrical insulators, wax paper, polishes, and cosmetics. It serves as a foundation for medical ointments, aids in extracting fragrances from flowers, and provides the wood with a waterproof coating. Providing a readily vaporized hydrocarbon fuel also aids in igniting the matchstick in wood and paper matches.

 

Different Grades of Paraffin Wax

As mentioned in the previous section, paraffin wax includes many properties, which lead to its diverse usage in the industry. Each Paraffin Wax Manufacturer in Iran or other regions must consider all technical factors to produce each grade of this substance with the required properties because every type of this substance holds a specific amount of purity with unique characteristics. For instance, solid paraffin, one of the industry’s most extensively used chemical compounds, is created through a series of procedures on slack wax. These processes must be carried out accurately and correctly to produce high-quality solid paraffin.

Paraffin Wax usually comes from crude oil manufacturing light (distillate) lubricating oils. These waxes fall into different groups based on their oil content and level of refining: the most basic varieties, Slack Wax, range in oil content from 5% to 20%. It is also vital to note that according to the melting point, typically every two °C, each type of wax comes in many variations, such as 52, 54, 56, 58, and so on. The principal uses of crude paraffin, which has a high oil content, include the production of fiberboard, canvas for canopies, and matches.

Below, you will find more information about each grade of this chemical compound.

Fully Refined Paraffin Wax

This grade is the highest level of refinement. Fully refined paraffin waxes have been hydrotreated or clay treated to eliminate impurities, decolorize, and contain less than 0.5% oil (0.8% for high-welted goods). The resultant waxes are frequently transparent to water, odorless, and food-grade. Fully refined paraffin wax with less than 0.5% oil content is the highest quality and most expensive type. Slab paraffin wax manufacturers present this grade in the food business, cosmetics, medicine, and oily sheets because it holds unique properties; for instance, it is white, odorless, and transparent.

Semi-Refined Paraffin Wax

It is a white, granular material whose relative density rises with an increased melting point. The product has a modest oil content, good moisture and insulating qualities, and flexibility. It also has solid chemical stability. Candle flames from semi-refined paraffin are concentrated, smoke-free, and do not shed tears. Semi paraffin wax manufacturers and granular paraffin wax manufacturers provide this grade to produce short-circuit and light industries, chemical raw materials, wax paper, candles, crayons, general telecommunications equipment, and more.

Microcrystalline Paraffin Wax

Microcrystalline paraffin contains a chain hydrocarbon, a cycloalkane, and some linear hydrocarbons, with a molecular weight range of roughly 500–1000. This rather fine crystal is a polar solvent, water-insoluble, and non-polar solvent-soluble.

Liquid Paraffin Wax

Liquid paraffin comes in various forms, each with a unique lubricating effect. The initial lubricating effect and thermal stability of the extrusion process are acceptable. However, when used in excess, the product tends to be sticky due to poor compatibility.

Polyethylene Wax

Polyethylene wax is a wax composed of low molecular weight polyethylene or partially oxidized low molecular weight polyethylene with a molecular weight ranging from 1500 to 25000. It appears as lumps, white powder, granules, and milky white wax. Excellent electrical characteristics, mold release, and fluidity are all present.

Chlorinated Paraffin Wax

Chlorinated paraffin is a thick, golden, or amber-colored liquid that is exceedingly volatile, non-flammable, and non-explosive. Most organic solvents can dissolve it, but water and ethanol cannot. Heating to 120 ° C or higher causes it to disintegrate more slowly, releasing hydrogen chloride gas and causing the release of additional metal oxides, including iron and zinc. Another plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride is chlorinated paraffin, which is low volatility, inert, odorless, and non-toxic. This product can lower costs and minimize flammability because it partially replaces the primary plasticizer. It mainly appears in PVC water pipes, floor coverings, film, imitation leather, and other products.

 

Paraffin Wax Production Process

By now, we know the importance of the paraffin wax production process in grading this product and its usage. This section describes paraffin wax’s detailed manufacture to give a more comprehensive perspective on this chemical compound. The first thing we should know is that slack wax, a residue of lubricating oil refinement and a mixture of wax and oil, serves as the feedstock for paraffin in this method.

De-oiling or de-waxing the slack wax is the first stage in the production of paraffin wax. The crystallization process separates the oil. The slack wax is often heated, combined with one or more solvents, like ketone, and then cooled. Wax separates from the solution and crystallizes when it cools, leaving just oil. The mixture separates into two streams: liquid and solid (wax plus some solvent) (oil and solvent). “Product wax” (also known as “press wax”) and “foot’s oil” are the end products that result when the solvent is recovered through distillation. The lesser the proportion of oil in the wax, the more refined it is considered (semi-refined versus fully refined). The finished wax can be further processed to eliminate colors and odors. Finally, combining waxes to produce desirable qualities like melt point and penetration is possible.

The Separating Stage

1% paraffin wax manufacturers must separate paraffin waxes from so-called paraffin distillates, waxy lubes, and the like when refining hydrocarbon oils, such as petroleum. These waxes are separated using several procedures. For instance, it is common to chill the chosen wax-containing fraction to ensure that the wax crystallizes and then filter, centrifuge, or perform a similar process to extract the wax crystals from the oil. It is also common to employ other de-waxing solvents in liquid form, typically gaseous hydrocarbons like propane and butane, as well as other solvents like methyl ethyl ketone and similar substances.

The Refining Stage

The wax separated from the hydrocarbon oil, known as slack wax, contains between 10% and 40% oil. To obtain crude scale wax, some producers that tend to manufacture pure types of this product, such as 1-3% paraffin wax manufacturers, refine the slack wax by traditional sweating to lower the oil content to less than 5% by weight. If needed, the slack wax can be distilled to reach the desired boiling range before being sweated. The oil typically makes up 2% to 3% of the weight of this crude scale wax. Different methods have been suggested and used, such as solvent de-oiling operations and sweating techniques, to remove this oil from the scale wax and produce a refined wax with an oil concentration below about 5%, typically around 3%.

Evaluating the Final Product

Even when light, heavy, and semi-paraffin wax manufacturers consider all of the production steps and satisfy the requirements, they must carry out some international tests to ensure the purity and quality of the outcome. The National Formulary (N. F.) acid test is one of the quality requirements that the final paraffin wax product must pass. This test, known as ASTM D612-45, gauges wax purity and establishes the relative concentrations of carbonizable material. According to spectroscopic tests, the oil in the wax determines whether the paraffin wax passes or fails the National Formulary purity test. Therefore, the quality of the end refined wax will be affected by any treatment provided on the oil.

 

Paraffin Wax Applications

Paraffin wax is a component of many goods you come across throughout life. It is one of the most widely used waxes on the market. Paraffin wax is often more inexpensive and adaptable than other solutions and holds many valuable properties. As a result, it is widely used in many industries by various businesses. Below, you can discover several applications of this product, from typical to industrial usage.

In Candle-Making

Due to their cleaner and more dependable burning properties, Paraffin Wax for Candle replaced tallow candles. Because paraffin wax is colorless and odorless, it works well for making personalized scented candles. Additionally, paraffin candles burn brighter than other kinds of candles, depending on the candle type and the amount of oil or melting point.

In the Waterproofing

Paraffin has a built-in resistance to water. Matches, wood, and bottles are just a few items that can be coated with paraffin wax to make them waterproof. In the match industry, producers use different grades of paraffin wax to make waterproof matches by applying various techniques, such as dipping the match head in melted paraffin wax, taking it out, and fast cooling and hardening the wax with a blowtorch.

Paraffin wax also functions in the construction industry as a water repellent. The most challenging task in the domain of building reconstruction is constructing future moisture barriers. The barrier must be installed in the building’s foundation walls, which are crucial to the structure’s integrity. Since this problem cannot be solved with straightforward structural methods, there are numerous ways with various modes of operation and outcomes. For this purpose, injecting a pore-sealing or water-repellent substance, such as paraffin wax, is necessary.

In Crayon-Making

Wax is frequently included in the construction of several marking devices. Crayons are a well-known type of marking tool that combines different waxes and additives to create both the marking medium and the structural structure of the crayon. Crayons’ main component, paraffin wax, gives them their waxy texture. To manufacture the crayon, wax is combined with color pigments and poured into a mold.

In Cosmetics

Because it spreads quickly on contact with skin and can function as a hot wax treatment without burning, paraffin wax is utilized in cosmetic products. Its melting point is close to that of the human body. Additionally, it immediately absorbs into your skin, supplying it with deep moisture and skin defense. It can be found in various goods, including shampoo, lipstick, face and eye makeup, nail polish, skincare, and sunscreen.

As a Friction Reducer

Paraffin wax is used on many products to reduce friction since it has lubricating characteristics. Surfers, skateboarders, and snowboarders all wax their boards with paraffin to make them glide more easily.

In Histology

Before sectioning thin tissue samples in a histology or pathology lab, paraffin wax is used to impregnate the tissue. Water is drawn out of the tissue by increasing alcohol concentrations (75% to 100%), and the tissue then dries in an organic solvent such as xylene. The tissue is next submerged in paraffin wax for several hours; then, it is set in a wax mold to cool and solidify. Then, using a microtome, sections are sliced.

In Coating

As mentioned in the article, paraffin waxes are typically mixtures of oil and wax left over after lubricating oil is refined. These waxes have a high heat capacity and low thermal conductivity and are insoluble in water. Paraffin wax coatings tend to crystallize upon cooling, restricting their use in some applications. However, applications involving high-temperature coatings frequently use paraffin waxes with a high melting point.

It is interesting to know that many chocolates and candy coatings contain paraffin wax to give the sweets a lustrous appearance. Additionally, it coats fruits and vegetables to retain moisture and lengthen shelf life. However, companies that utilize paraffin wax for food coating must adhere to FDA guidelines for contact with food.

As an Industrial Applicant

Modifying the paraffin wax’s crystal characteristics is frequently helpful in industrial applications, usually by adding branching to the existing carbon backbone chain. Typically, the alteration occurs using additives like polyethylene, microcrystalline wax, or EVA copolymers. The branching features lead to a modified paraffin with altered functional properties, a smaller crystalline structure, and a greater viscosity. Since pure paraffin wax is relatively brittle at ambient temperature and poses a risk of chipping and breaking when worked, it is rarely used to carve original models for the lost wax casting of metal and other materials. Although “investment casting waxes,” frequently paraffin-based, are specifically designed for the purpose, soft and malleable waxes, like beeswax, may be favored for such sculpture.

 

About JAM Group’s Paraffin Wax

For several reasons, JAM Group Co. is among the light and heavy paraffin wax manufacturers. First, and Unlike other exporters in the market, this company owns two equipped factories supplied with high-quality raw materials, which leads to pure outcomes. Secondly, it presents an array of paraffin wax types, so customers can easily find their intended product. Third and most importantly, JAM Group confirms the accordance of its products with international standards that ensure their properties. As such, you can rely on this heavy and light paraffin wax manufacturer with no worries.

When purchasing paraffin wax, numerous considerations must be made, the first and most crucial of which is to prepare the proper paraffin for the intended usage. Every grade of this product holds specific properties and a particular price range, which is recommended for a specific application. So, when making a purchase, customers must look for a reliable, fully refined, and Semi-Paraffin Wax Manufacturer to find their intended grade. JAM Group Co. can help you in this case due to the company’s expertise in producing various grades of paraffin wax, like the types introduced in this article. This company also suggests different packing and shipping options that meet your needs. To find out more, don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

Conclusion

Paraffin wax is a firm, colorless or white, slightly translucent combination of solid straight-chain hydrocarbons with a melting point between 48 and 66 degrees Centigrade. Based on its oil content, level of refining, and melting point, it is divided into various categories, each suitable for a specific application. Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum by de-waxing and de-oiling light lubricating oil stocks. It is a component of wax insulators, wax candles, wax paper, polishes, and cosmetics. It aids in flower aroma extraction, serves as a foundation for medicinal ointments, and provides the wood with a waterproof coating.

 

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