What happens if paraffin gets too hot?
On the other hand, overheating of the paraffin can result in deterioration of the components of the paraffin mixture, and some tissue specimens may become brittle or hardened by prolonged exposure to too hot paraffin.
If you're doing a paraffin wax treatment at home, take care not to heat the wax too much, as it may catch fire. It should be no more than 125°F (51.7°C) when you start your treatment.
Make sure the wax temperature is no more than 51°C (125°F) when you start your treatment. Each time you dip your hand or foot into the paraffin, dip a little less far than the time before. That will keep warm wax from getting in under the wax that is already on your skin, which will prevent burns.
Paraffin wax experiences a volume change with temperature, whereby it shrinks by approximately 10% as it solidifies and a further 4% at the solid-solid transition (Ragnarsson et al., 1996). It is insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents. It has a boiling point > 370°C.
Paraffin is highly flammable, and poses fire risk when contaminated by water or other fuels; when used in malfunctioning appliances; when used by youth, intoxicated individuals, or other vulnerable individuals; when used purposely in acts of aggression or self-harm; and in dozens of other situations.
Paraffin wax is an excellent heat storage material, with a heat capacity ranging from 2.14 to 2.9 (J/g K) and melting heat of 200–220 (J/g). Wax expands when melted, which allows it to be used in thermostats for industrial, domestic, and automotive purposes (Ines et al., 2019).
Paraffin candles are made from petroleum-based wax that has a melting temperature of 99°F (37°C). Beeswax is a cleaner burning wax that has a higher melting temperature than paraffin, ranging from 144°F — 147°F (62°C — 64°C).
It has the same distillation characteristics and flash point as kerosene (between 150 and 300°C, 300 and 570°F, but not generally above 250°C, 480°F).
Never let the temperature of wax exceed 250° F. Never melt wax in direct heat (e.g. don't place it directly in a pot over the stove). Never leave melting wax unattended.
While discoloration might be specific to soy wax, you shouldn't heat any wax to an excessively high temperature (around 245° F or higher). If you over-heat your wax, you may cause the wax to undergo chemical changes, which can alter its ability to bond with fragrance oils at all.
Is paraffin toxic when burned?
But is paraffin really all that bad? A study conducted at South Carolina State University found that with paraffin candles, this combustion process also releases toxic chemicals such as toluene, which is a benzene derivative, a known carcinogen for humans.