Image Source http://www.googana.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Paraffin.jpg

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

Wax Jewellery, by Fiodorov with the use of 3D milling

2. Dragon, by Raim with the use of 3D milling

http://blog.nscnc.com/?p=613

The Dragon, by Raim

3. Recall, by Beili Liu.
Installation with hand-made paraffin was drips

http://beililiu.com/06_07/recall.html

Recall, by Beili Liu

Installation details

4. The Paraffin table, by Timo Breumelhof

http://www.droog.com/news/category/product/

The Table, by Timo Breumelhof

5. SO WE TOo

http://shape.qut.edu.au/students/marcel-daniels

Wax Installation , by Marcel Daniels

Wax Installation , by 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