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Paraffin wax is primarily classified by its degree of refinement, which directly determines its oil content, odor level, color, and suitability for different industrial applications. The key physical properties—such as melting point, hardness, oil content, and crystallinity—are what define its performance in sectors ranging from packaging to cosmetics and candle manufacturing.
Understanding these properties and classifications is essential for selecting the right grade of paraffin wax for specific production needs, especially where purity, stability, and compliance requirements are critical.
Paraffin wax, also known as crystalline wax, is usually a white, tasteless wax-like solid. It melts at 47 ℃ - 64℃, with a density of about 0.9g/cm3. It is soluble in a class of non-polar solvents such as gasoline, carbon disulfide, xylene, ether, benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, naphtha, and insoluble in polar solvents such as water and methanol. Pure paraffin is a good insulator with a resistivity of 1013-1017 ohm · m, which is higher than most materials except some plastics (especially Teflon). Paraffin is also a good heat storage material, with a specific heat capacity of 2.14 – 2.9J.g – 1 .K – 1 and a melting heat of 200 – 220j.g – 1. The main performance indexes of paraffin are melting point, oil content and stability.
The main components of paraffin are straight-chain alkanes (about 80% - 95%), a small amount of alkanes with individual branches and monocyclic alkanes with long side chains (the total content of the two is less than 20%). Paraffin is a kind of flake or needle-like crystal which is produced by refining, dewaxing, freezing, pressing and dewaxing the lubricating oil from crude oil. According to the different refining degree, it can be divided into three kinds: fully refined paraffin, semi-refined paraffin and crude paraffin.
Paraffin is a mixture of hydrocarbons, so it does not have as strict a melting point as a pure compound. Thus, what is the melting point of paraffin? The so-called melting point of paraffin refers to the temperature of the first stagnation period on the cooling curve when the paraffin sample is cooled under the specified conditions. All kinds of wax products are required to have good temperature resistance, that is, they will not melt or soften at a specific temperature. According to the difference of using conditions, using regions and seasons and using environment, commercial paraffin wax is required to have a series of different melting points.
According to paraffin wax melting point temperature, it is generally divided into different varieties every 2 ℃. The main factor affecting the paraffin water measuring point temperature is the weight of the selected raw material fraction, and the paraffin water measuring point temperature separated from the heavier fraction is higher. Also, the oil content has a great influence on the melting point of paraffin. The more oil content in paraffin, the lower the paraffin wax melting point temperature.
Crude scale wax with high oil content is mainly used for making matches, fiberboard, awning canvas, etc. Fully refined paraffin and semi-refined paraffin wax are widely used. They are mainly used as ingredients and packaging materials for food, oral medicine and certain commodities (such as wax paper, crayons, candles, carbon paper), coating materials for baking containers, preservation of fruits, insulation of electrical components, improvement of ageing resistance and flexibility of rubber. It can also be used for oxidation to produce fatty acids.
Paraffin wax is generally divided into three major categories based on refinement level and oil content:
Fully refined paraffin wax
Semi refined paraffin wax
Crude (or scale wax, less commonly used in end products)
Each type serves distinct industrial purposes depending on purity requirements and cost considerations.
The difference between fully refined and semi refined paraffin wax lies primarily in the degree of purification, which affects odor, oil content, and application suitability.
Fully refined paraffin wax undergoes extensive hydro-treatment and purification processes to remove oil, impurities, and aromatic compounds.
Key characteristics:
Oil content typically below 0.5%
White, odorless, and highly stable
Excellent transparency and smooth surface finish
Higher melting point stability and better combustion behavior
Because of its high purity, fully refined wax is widely used in:
Food packaging coatings
Cosmetic formulations (lipsticks, creams, ointments)
High-quality candles with clean burning performance
Pharmaceutical applications
Semi refined paraffin wax manufacturered by professional semi refined paraffin wax manufacturer undergoes partial purification and retains a higher level of residual oil compared to fully refined grades.
Key characteristics:
Oil content generally between 1%–5%
Slight odor and off-white appearance
Lower production cost
Adequate hardness but less thermal and chemical stability
Common applications include:
Industrial candles
Rubber and tire manufacturing
Wood and textile processing
Basic packaging applications
The choice between these two grades is typically driven by balancing cost efficiency with performance requirements.
The refinement level of paraffin wax directly impacts product performance, regulatory compliance, and end-user experience. For example, in cosmetic or food-related applications, even trace impurities can affect safety standards and product acceptance.
In contrast, industrial applications such as rubber processing or lubrication are more tolerant of higher oil content and lower refinement grades, allowing semi refined wax to remain cost-effective and practical.
What is the main difference between fully refined and semi refined paraffin wax?
Fully refined paraffin wax has lower oil content, higher purity, and is odorless, making it suitable for sensitive applications like cosmetics and food packaging. Semi refined wax contains more residual oil and is mainly used in industrial applications where ultra-high purity is not required.
Why is oil content important in paraffin wax?
Oil content affects hardness, burning performance, stability, and overall purity. Lower oil content generally means better quality and broader application potential.
Which type of paraffin wax is better for candle making?
Fully refined paraffin wax is preferred for premium candles due to its clean burn, minimal smoke, and better fragrance retention. Semi refined wax is used in lower-cost or industrial candles.
Can semi refined paraffin wax be used in cosmetics?
It is generally not recommended due to its higher impurity levels and odor. Cosmetic-grade applications typically require fully refined paraffin wax for safety and quality consistency.
