Paraffin Wax is a white or colorless soft solid derivable
from petroleum, which can be processed and achieved in a wide range
of physical and chemical properties, using different refining
methods. Paraffin waxes are mostly graded according to the oil
content, ranging from around 0.5% to above *0%. The
changeParaffin Wax is a white or colorless soft
solid derivable from petroleum, which can be processed and achieved
in a wide range of physical and chemical properties, using
different refining methods. Paraffin waxes are mostly graded
according to the oil content, ranging from around 0.5% to above
*0%. The change in oil content can lead to different physical and
chemical behaviors of paraffin wax.
Paraffin Wax Properties
Paraffin wax is mostly found in two types of Fully-refined and
Semi-refined, with a typical melting point between about *6 and *8
°C
(**5 and **4 °F), and a density of around **0 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 *2 kJ/g.
Paraffin wax is an excellent electrical insulator, with a
resistivity of between ***3 and ***7 ohm meter.
Paraffin wax is also an excellent material for storing heat, with a
specific heat capacity of 2.**2.9 J g−1 K−1 (joules per gram
kelvin) and a heat of fusion of *****0 J g−1. Wax expands
considerably when it melts and this allows its use in wax
thermostatic element thermostats for industrial, domestic and,
particularly, automobile purposes.
