Paraffin: Encyclopedia II - Paraffin - Uses

Paraffin - Uses

• Candlemaking
• Coatings for waxed paper or cloth.
• Coating for many kinds of hard cheese, like Edam cheese.
• Preparing specimens for histology.
• Solid propellant for hybrid rockets
• Sealing jars, cans, and bottles
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Impure mixtures of mostly paraffin wax are used in wax baths for beauty and therapy purposes.

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 modelling.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Uses", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki