Paraffin, << PAR uh fihn, >> is a commonly used term for paraffin wax, a white, partly clear material. Paraffin wax forms a moisture-proof film, and is used to make waterproof cardboard containers such as milk cartons. It is also the major ingredient in candles.
The wax is made up of a mixture of substances known by the chemical term paraffin. A paraffin is a type of hydrocarbon (a substance containing hydrogen and carbon). See Hydrocarbon . Paraffin wax comes from petroleum fractions (products separated from petroleum). Chilling the fractions and pressing them through a filter removes heavy oil. The remaining solid is paraffin wax.
Ordinary paraffin wax melts at 90 °F to 150 °F (32 °C to 66 °C). Microcrystalline wax, which is composed of larger hydrocarbons, melts at 150 °F to 185 °F (66 °C to 85 °C).
