Paraffin is a common name for a group of alkane hydrocarbons with the general formula C_nH_2n+2, where n is greater than about 20, discovered by Carl Reichenbach. It is distinct from the fuel known in Britain as paraffin oil or just paraffin, which is called kerosene in American English. Usage of the term varies in other countries, leading to confusion about which substance is being referred to. The solid forms of paraffin are called paraffin wax. Paraffin is also a technical name for an alkane in general, but in most cases it refers specifically to a linear, or normal alkane, while branched, or isoalkane are also called isoparaffins. The name is derived from the Latin parum (= barely) + affinis with the meaning here of "lacking affinity", or "lacking reactivity"). An alkane is an acyclic saturated hydrocarbon. ... Hydrocarbons are refined at oil refineries and processed at chemical plants A hydrocarbon is a chemical compound that consists only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). ... Carl Ludwig von Reichenbach Baron Dr. Carl (Karl) Ludwig von Reichenbach (full name: Baron Karl Ludwig Freiherr von Reichenbach) (February 12, 1788 - January 19, 1869) was a recognized chemist, metallurgist, naturalist and philosopher, a member of the prestigious Prussian Academy of Sciences. ... Russian kerosene lamp Kerosene or paraffin oil (British English, not to be confused with the waxy solid also called paraffin wax or just paraffin) is a colorless flammable hydrocarbon liquid. ... English language spread in the United States. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Reactivity refers to the rate at which a chemical substance tends to undergo a chemical reaction in time. ...

Physical and chemical properties

It is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid, with a typical melting point between about 47 °C and 65 °C. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters. Paraffin is unaffected by most common chemical reagents, but burns readily. Wax has traditionally referred to a substance that is secreted by bees (beeswax) and used by them in constructing their honeycombs. ... Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a low boiling point and a characteristic smell. ... Benzene, also known as benzol, is an organic chemical compound with the formula C6H6. ... General formula of a carboxylate ester. ... A reagent or reactant is any substance used in a chemical reaction. ... Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat or both heat and light in the form of either a glow or flames. ...

Pure paraffin is an extremely good electrical insulator, with an electrical resistivity of 10¹⁷ ohm meter. This is better than nearly all other materials except some plastics (notably teflon). This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Electrical resistivity (also known as specific electrical resistance) is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. ... Teflon is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a polymer of fluorinated ethylene. ...

Liquid paraffin

Liquid paraffin has a number of names, including nujol, mineral spirits, adepsine oil, alboline, glymol, liquid paraffin, medicinal paraffin, saxol, or USP mineral oil. It is often used in infrared spectroscopy, as it has a relatively uncomplicated IR spectrum. When the sample to be tested is made into a mull (a very thick solution), liquid paraffin is added so it can be spread on the disks to be tested. Liquid paraffin is also excellent for helping bowel movement in persons suffering chronic constipation. White spirit also known as Stoddard solvent is a paraffin derived clear, transparent liquid which is a common organic solvent used in painting and decorating. ... IR spectrum of a thin film of liquid ethanol. ... Legend: γ = Gamma rays HX = Hard X-rays SX = Soft X-Rays EUV = Extreme ultraviolet NUV = Near ultraviolet Visible light NIR = Near infrared MIR = Moderate infrared FIR = Far infrared Radio waves: EHF = Extremely high frequency (Microwaves) SHF = Super high frequency (Microwaves) UHF = Ultrahigh frequency VHF = Very high frequency HF = High frequency... Tobermory with 700 people, the largest settlement on Mull, is home to the only whisky distillery on the island. ...

Uses

• Candlemaking
• Coatings for waxed paper or cloth.
• Food-grade paraffin wax
  • is used in some candies to make them look shiny. Although edible, it is nondigestible; it passes right through the body without being broken down.
  • Non-food grade paraffin wax can contain oils and other impurities which may be toxic or harmful.
  • Magic Shell
  • Coating for many kinds of hard cheese, like Edam cheese.
  • Sealing jars, cans, and bottles.
• A key component in wax used for investment casting.
• As anti-caking, moisture repellent, and dustbinding coatings for fertilizers.
• Preparing specimens for histology.
• Solid propellant for hybrid rocket motors.
• In dermatology, as an emollient (moisturiser).
• Surfing, for grip on surfboards as a component of surfwax.
• The primary component of glide wax, used on skis and snowboards.
• Microwax as a food additive, a glazing agent with E number E905.
• The paraffin test is used in forensics to detect granules of gunpowder in the hand of a shooting suspect.
• A fire performance fuel.
• Blends of paraffin and micro waxes in rubber compounds as anti-ozonant agent, to prevent cracking of the rubber. The antiozonant waxes can today be produced from synthetic waxes, FT wax, and Fischer Tropsch wax.

Impure mixtures of mostly paraffin wax are used in wax baths for beauty and therapy purposes. A collection of lit candles on ornate candlesticks A close-up image of a candle showing the wick and the various regions of the flame. ... A wide range of candies on display on a market in Barcelona, Spain. ... Magic Shell is an American dessert product produced by Smuckers. ... Cheese is a solid food made from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and other mammals. ... Edam is a Dutch cheese that is traditionally sold as spheres with pale yellow interior and a coat of red or yellow paraffin. ... The lost wax process is a method that requires the metallurgist to build a wax replica of the item that is desired to be replicated, followed by the coating of the wax sculpted article in a heat resistant yet durable exterior, typically a ceramic, which is then fired to permit... Fertilizers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying. ... A thin section of lung tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin. ... A hybrid rocket propulsion system is a rocket engine composed of a solid propellant lining a combustion chamber into which a liquid or gaseous propellant is injected so as to undergo a strong exothermic reaction to produce hot gas that is emitted through a De Laval nozzle for propulsive purposes. ... Emollients soften skin (and moisturisers add moisture). ... Buttons Kaluhiokalani at Banzai Pipeline, December 1981 Surfing is a surface water sport in which the participant is carried by a breaking wave on a surfboard. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Ski wax is a material applied to the bottom of skis or snowboards to help them perform on snow. ... A twin-tip shaped downhill ski. ... A snowboard with boot bindings A snowboard is a board ridden by a rider in the sport of snowboarding. ... Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavour or improve its taste and appearance. ... Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appeareance or protective coating to foods. ... For the mathematical constant see: E (mathematical constant). ... Forensic science (often shortened to forensics) is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to the legal system. ... Smokeless powder Gunpowder, whether black powder or smokeless powder, is a substance that burns very rapidly, releasing gases that act as a propellant in firearms. ... A nymph with morning glory flowers by Lefebvre. ...

Paraffin wax is not used much to make original models for casting, as it is relatively brittle at room temperature and usually cannot be cold-carved without excessive chipping and breaking. Soft, pliable waxes such as beeswax are preferred for modeling. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Beeswax cake Fresh wax scales (in the middle of the lower row) Beeswax is a product from a bee hive. ...

See also

• Paraffin oil
• Mineral oil

Kerosene or paraffin is a colorless flammable hydrocarbon liquid. ... Mineral oil or liquid petrolatum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. ...

References

• Liquid paraffin / nujol information