Slack wax and paraffin wax are two different types of waxes.
Slack wax is the raw material of paraffin wax. Slack Wax is one of the by-products of the dewaxing process, which removes the waxy components from crude oil. It is yellow or brown material and has high viscosity.
Paraffin wax is a crystalline transparent material manufactured by de-oiling of slack waxes. It is odorless, tasteless, and has a lower viscosity than slack wax.
In the picture below, you can see the stages of slack wax and paraffin wax formation:
What is the Difference Between Paraffin Wax and Slack Wax?
The main difference between paraffin wax and slack wax is in the percentage of oil content.
On the other hand, they have other differences, such as the production process, the composition of their hydrocarbons, the percentage of purity, and other properties.
The differences between paraffin wax and slack wax cause their different uses.
Below, the properties of slack wax and paraffin wax are compared:
Physical and Chemical Properties of Slack Wax and Paraffin Wax | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Oil Content (%) | Carbon Number Range | Boiling Point (℃) | Melting Point (℃) | Biodegradation | Toxicity | Kinematic Viscosity at 100 ℃ (mm2/s) |
| Slack Wax | 10-40 | C12-C85 | >300 | 43-63 | No | Very Low | 3-30 |
| Paraffin Wax | 0.5-7 | C20-C40 | 350-485 | 43-68 | Yes | Very Low | 3-10 |
The Difference Between the Applications of Paraffin Wax and Slack Wax
Paraffin wax is mostly used in high-quality candles.
In addition, fully-refined paraffin wax (0.5%) due to its low oil content is used in the medical and food industries.
Read More: What are the Different Types of Paraffin Wax?
The applications of slack wax depends on its classification. Slack wax is classified based on its physical properties, such as color, melting point, and oil content.
The most common types of slack wax and their applications are:
Light slack wax: This type of slack wax is light yellow or brown. It has a lower melting point and lower oil content than other types of slack wax. It is used in the production of candles, packaging, and cosmetics.
Heavy slack wax: This type of slack wax is dark brown. It has a higher melting point and higher oil content than light slack wax.
It is used in the production of industrial wax products, such as wax emulsions, polishes, and coatings.
According to the above description, paraffin wax has become a suitable material for various applications such as food packaging, electrical and pharmaceutical insulation due to its stability and resistance to heat and humidity.
But slack wax is used for applications that do not require high purity such as rust protection, wood or leather protection. It can also be used as a lubricant in various industries.
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