Paraffin Oil (Mineral Oil)

Paraffin Oil (Mineral Oil)

Appearance: Colorless, Odorless

Chemical Name: Paraffin Oil; Mineral Oil

Chemical Formula: C10-13, C14-17, C>17

Packaging: In drums

Definition and Areas of Use: Paraffin is a noble component of petroleum with the formula CnH2n+2, which earned its name from the Latin "Paraffin affinis" due to its low reactivity. Paraffin wax was first produced in history by Carl Reichenbach in 1829 from wood tar and later from bituminous layers. It finally took its modern form in 1867 when it was derived from petroleum. By 1947, synthetic paraffin wax was being manufactured.

Today, paraffin manufacturers use the same technique in line with current technological capabilities. According to this technique, newly made paraffin waxes contain 20 percent oil. Sometimes this oil content can be reduced to 3 percent. Furthermore, higher levels of purification can improve color, odor, and taste. During the purification of paraffin, sulfuric acid and clay are utilized. Separating paraffin from crude oil is a necessity; we can say that paraffin is actually a byproduct of petroleum. During refining, the oily paraffin obtained from crude oil is first melted by heat. Then, it is cooled with the aim of freezing only the paraffin part. The resulting sludge-like paraffin layer is thoroughly de-oiled and separated. The purification of raw paraffin is one of the fundamental processes of refining. Paraffin, which is completely insensitive to chemical agents, was first used in candle making. For this purpose, 20 percent stearic acid is added to the paraffin to make it harder to melt.

The melting point of raw paraffin wax varies between 37 and 48 degrees Celsius, while the melting point of fully refined paraffin can vary between 48 and 66 degrees. If the melting point of the paraffin wax is high, it means it contains alkanes with 26-30 carbons. Paraffin wax has a crystalline structure. Paraffin waxes are extracted from paraffin-based oils, similar to Pennsylvania crude oil. The amount of paraffin extraction from crude oils varies depending on their origin.

Paraffin wax is produced from paraffin-based oils as a raw material. Additionally, since paraffin begins to boil at the same temperature as the oil carrying it, it cannot emerge through simple distillation. This is where special methods come into play. In the petroleum industry, a mass consisting of a mixture of paraffin sludge and solid normal paraffin is obtained from thin and medium-consistency lubricating oils.

Areas of Use

• Thanks to the paraffin used in textiles, materials prevent the passage of water or air, providing effective insulation. Paraffin is utilized in many areas of textiles. For example, if we look at its use in yarn; paraffin provides lubricity to the yarn, lowering the friction coefficient and providing a solution to problems that may arise due to "friction." A poorly paraffined yarn, even if it is high quality, loses its value as a yarn because problems will occur during the knitting process.
• Paraffin used in pharmacy exists in liquid form in creams, ointments, suppositories, and medications for constipation, etc. Apart from this, paraffin, which has low thermal conductivity by nature, acts like an insulation material and is frequently used in physical therapy and medical fields.
• Paraffin used in cosmetics increases the water resistance of materials, ensures long-lasting effects, and is utilized in quite diverse ways. It is possible to encounter paraffin in both beauty and care products. The purpose of using paraffin in skincare products is to block the pores, trap moisture in the skin, and thereby keep the skin soft without drying out. Paraffin-based mask recipes recommended for the skin are frequently preferred. We can specifically say that cold paraffin is very commonly used in hand and foot care. It is stated to be very effective in combating problems such as skin cracking, feelings of tension, peeling, etc. Cold paraffin is more hygienic than hot paraffin because it is single-use.