PARAFFIN WAX
Paraffin waxes are composed mainly of straight-chained hydrocarbon molecules originating from crude petroleum. Through the refining process, the composition and properties of wax can be controlled. Because of the various refining processes, waxes from various manufacturers can have varying characteristics.
There are three main grades of paraffin wax: fully refined, semi-refined, and scale. These differ mainly by the degree to which entrapped oil has been removed during refining and by color.
Fully refined paraffins are hard, brittle, white, odorless materials with less than 0.5% oil, melting points from 115°F to 155°F and have good gloss properties.
Semi-refined paraffin waxes contain more oil - 0.5% to 1%. This additional oil detracts from gloss and the waxes are softer, light-colored and have a slight odor and taste.
Scale waxes are softer materials with 1 to 3% oil content. Color varies from white to yellow.
Properties of any petroleum wax depend upon their various hydrocarbon molecules and degree of refining. Some important qualities of petroleum waxes are as follows:
Melting point is the temperature at which a wax liquefies when heated or reverts back to a solid when cooled. Paraffin waxes have sharp melting points (complete melting over several degrees).
Oil content of petroleum waxes is reduced in the refining process. All petroleum waxes contain oil and in paraffin waxes, oil content detracts from gloss, hardness, strength and odor. Some oil can be beneficial, such as for improving burning properties in candles; but the proper balance must be made to provide the best overall properties for a given application.
Gloss is determined either visually or by light reflectance. Gloss is obtained by chilling molten wax and “freezing” the wax in a semi-glass like state having very small crystals. Gloss is important in maintaining the original good appearance of the wax product.
Hardness of a wax varies with composition, oil content, and temperature. The hardness of a wax is measured by the ASTM needle penetration test with higher needle penetrations indicating a softer wax.
Taste, odor and color depend upon the degree of refining. Food grade petroleum waxes are white with little or no taste or odor. The color of highly refined paraffin waxes is reported as Saybolt color. Wax with a +30 Saybolt color is water white while lower numbers progressively tend to off-white and light pale yellowish white.
AOC's Wax Products & Specifications
- Fully refined paraffin waxes possessing the ultimate in refinement and product uniformity
- Filtered and percolated to be odor free, taste free, and water white
- Surpass current Food and Drug Administration requirements for food grade waxes
- Approved by U.S. Department of Agriculture
PM 30 |
PM53 |
|
Melting Point, D-87°F |
123-127 |
145-150 |
Oil Content, Wt. % |
0.50 |
0.50 |
Color, Saybolt |
30 |
30 |
Odor |
Nil |
Nil |
Taste |
Nil |
Nil |
Heat Stability, 30 days @ 180° F |
Pass |
Pass |
Needle Penetration at 77° F |
15 |
11 |
Blocking Point, °F |
92 |
123 |
Viscosity, cSt, 100° C |
3.12 |
4.79 |
FDA Requirments (meets CFR 21 175.105, 176.170 & 176.180) |
Pass |
Pass |