PARAFFIN WAX

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid derivable from petroleum, that consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between twenty and forty carbon atoms. It is solid at room temperature and begins to melt above approximately 37 °C (99 °F). Common applications for paraffin wax include lubrication, electrical insulation, candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, and electrical insulators. It assists in extracting perfumes from flowers, forms a base for medical ointments, and supplies a waterproof coating for wood.