Paraffin wax is a mixture consisting mostly of straight-chain hydrocarbons, with about 20-40 carbons in the molecule and a molecular weight of about 300-500.

General properties are:

• Hardness is such that it can be scarred with nails

• Extremely low volatility

• Viscosity in the molten state is extremely low

• Catches fire easily and burns without emitting harmful gas

• Great moisture-proofing, waterproofing and scent-preserving

• Latent heat of fusion is high enough to use as heat storage materials

• Tasteless and odorless

• Easily decomposed by microbes