Name
Paraffin wax (Heavy alkane)
Formula
from C20H42 to C40H82
Description
Paraffin wax is a soft solid derivable from petroleum. It consists of mainly unbranched alkanes that form a crystalline structure. It is white/translucent, odorless and tasteless, as well as insoluble in water but soluble in benzene and othe esters. It is also an excellent electrical insulator.
Extraction Process
Paraffin wax falls into the category of petroleum waxes, which means that it is extracted by the process of crystalization from petroleum slack.
Basic properties
Compressive Strength – 658400 N/m2
Tensile Strength – 1380000 N/m2
Stiffness
Density approx. – 900 kg/m3
Melting Point – 46 to 68 oC
Carbon Footprint – 0.87kgCO2e/kg
Recyclable – Yes
Laser – No
Milling – Yes
3d printing – No (But it is possible with an additive like plastic)
Advantage in the context of digital fabrication
1. Malleable
2. Economical and easily available
3. Water resistant
4. Recyclable
The properties of paraffin wax can be altered by mixing it with microcrystalline wax (another form of petroleum wax) Microcrystalline waxes are produced from a combination of heavy lube distillates and residual oils. They have a higher viscosity and melting point (54 – 95oC)
We intend on experimenting with a mix of the two to see how we can enhance the properties of parafin wax.
Material Suppliers
FORM X https://www.formx.es/
DALMAU http://www.quimicsdalmau.net/v2/empresa.asp
CAMPS http://drogueriacamps.com/
Cheapest found in Barcelona FORM X https://www.formx.es/
17,5€ / 5kg (ex VAT)
Projects
1. Sculpture work, by Fiodorov with the use of 3D milling
http://blog.nscnc.com/?page_id=1039#prettyPhoto
2. Dragon, by Raim with the use of 3D milling
http://blog.nscnc.com/?p=613
3. Recall, by Beili Liu.
Installation with hand-made paraffin was drips
http://beililiu.com/06_07/recall.html
4. The Paraffin table, by Timo Breumelhof
http://www.droog.com/news/category/product/
5. SO WE TOo
http://shape.qut.edu.au/students/marcel-daniels
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin_wax
http://www.igiwax.com/reference/waxbasics.html
http://www.formx.eu/modeling/wax/index.php
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Paraffin.html
http://enu.kz/repository/2009/AIAA-2009-5115.pdf
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00723880#page-1
http://www.kayelaby.npl.co.uk/general_physics/2_2/2_2_1.html
http://www.chemicalbook.com/ProductMSDSDetailCB2854418_EN.htm
http://www.igiwax.com/igi-products/by-type/microcrystallinewax.html