Product Name: Sinopec Paraffin Wax
Manufacturer: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)
Product Use: Candle production, packaging, waterproofing, rubber and textile industries, food-grade coating, electrical insulation
Synonyms: Fully-refined paraffin wax, Petroleum wax
Contact Information: Sinopec Corporate Headquarters, Beijing, China, Emergency Phone: +86-10-59960114
CAS Number: 8002-74-2
UN Number: Not regulated for land or sea transport
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous by GHS criteria
Physical Hazards: May form combustible dust concentrations in air
Health Hazards: Inhalation of heated fumes may cause respiratory irritation, smoke inhalation from burning may lead to headaches or dizziness, prolonged skin contact with hot material can result in burns
Environmental Hazards: Not considered an aquatic hazard under standard use or accidental release
Signal Word: None
Pictograms: None required
Other Hazards: Hot wax may cause thermal burns, molten wax can lead to slips and falls on surfaces
Substance: Paraffin Wax (petroleum-derived)
Chemical Family: Hydrocarbon
Content: 100% paraffin hydrocarbon mixture
Impurities: Trace amounts of oil (<0.5%), may contain tiny fractions of aromatic hydrocarbons
Additives: None in fully-refined types, low-level antioxidants may be present in food-grade variants
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, allow to rest, seek medical advice if irritation persists
Skin Contact: If molten paraffin contacts skin, cool gently with water but do not pull solidified wax off skin, seek medical attention for burns
Eye Contact: Flush immediately with copious amounts of water, consult a physician if irritation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting; if large amount swallowed, seek medical advice
Important Symptoms: Mild respiratory irritation from fumes, possible skin burns from hot wax, nausea if ingested
Protection for First Aiders: Use gloves and eye protection when dealing with hot spills or burns
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam or water fog (avoid direct water jets on molten product)
Hazards from Combustion: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, small amounts of aldehydes and hydrocarbons may be released
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing
Special Firefighting Procedures: Use caution due to risk of slip hazards from molten wax, cool fire-exposed containers with water spray, dike flows to prevent environmental entry
Flammability: Solid wax has low flammability at room temperature; molten or finely divided dust can ignite at elevated temperatures
Explosion Hazard: Dust clouds may ignite in confined spaces; proper ventilation recommended in dust-producing operations
Personal Precautions: Avoid inhalation of vapors and dust, use protective gear to prevent skin and eye contact
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering sewers or waterways, contain molten material using sand or soil
Cleanup Methods: For solid spills, sweep or shovel material into containers for reuse or disposal; for liquid spills, allow to solidify then collect
Safe Handling Tips: Mark slippery zones, ventilate area if fumes present; use care to avoid slip falls on hard surfaces
Waste Disposal: Dispose of as non-hazardous solid waste according to local regulations
Handling Practice: Handle in well-ventilated places, avoid formation of dust or excessive fume when melting, use care when filling heated tanks
Storage Conditions: Store away from direct sunlight or heat sources, keep containers closed to minimize contamination, temperature between 10°C to 32°C preferred
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, halogens
Specific Use Instructions: Avoid eating or drinking during use, wash hands after handling wax, use proper lifting techniques for heavy packages
Fire Precautions: Keep away from open flame and sources of ignition
Storage Stability: Stable under recommended conditions for several years
Occupational Exposure Limit: Paraffin wax fumes TLV–TWA: 2 mg/m³ (ACGIH)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation when melting paraffin or processing at high temperature, minimize airborne dust
Personal Respiratory Protection: Not required under normal conditions; if fumes generated, use approved particulate respirator
Hand Protection: Wear thermal-insulated gloves if handling molten product
Eye Protection: Use safety glasses with side shields especially in melting/dripping operations
Body Protection: Long sleeves and pants when handling large volumes, use apron if splashing expected
Hygiene: Wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling; launder work clothes regularly to remove wax residue
Physical State: Solid, often in white pastilles, slabs, or pellets
Color: White to off-white
Odor: Faint hydrocarbon odor
Melting Point: 58°C to 64°C (fully refined grades)
Boiling Point: >350°C
Flash Point: Above 200°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in hot organic solvents like toluene, xylene, or mineral oil
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Density: 0.88–0.92 g/cm³
Viscosity: 3–6 mm²/s at 100°C
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Chemical Stability: Product remains stable under recommended storage conditions
Reactivity Profile: Negligible reactivity under normal circumstances
Hazardous Reactions: Contact with strong oxidizers may produce fire
Thermal Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, small quantities of aldehydes and hydrocarbons
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, strong sunlight, sources of ignition, dust accumulation
Corrosivity: Non-corrosive to metals or most construction materials
Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity, no significant health hazard in solid form
Skin Contact: Molten material can cause burns; solid form does not irritate under usual conditions
Inhalation: Fumes from hot paraffin may cause mild respiratory irritation, headaches; chronic exposure to high concentrations not common in typical use
Eye Contact: Solid dust or hot liquid may cause mild irritation or burns
Ingestion: Large amounts can cause upset stomach and diarrhea; accidental swallowing of small pieces is unlikely to cause harm
Long-term Effects: No evidence of chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity in epidemiological studies for refined paraffin wax
Sensitization: No reports of allergic reactions or sensitization from regular workplace exposure
Aquatic Toxicity: Not expected to be toxic to aquatic organisms; wax floats and solidifies on cold water surfaces
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility, solidifies rapidly
Persistence and Degradability: Paraffin is not rapidly biodegradable, but expected to degrade slowly by natural processes
Bioaccumulation: No significant bioaccumulation anticipated due to low solubility and molecular size
Other Environmental Effects: Spills may smother small organisms; physical presence more impactful than chemical toxicity
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose as non-hazardous solid waste, incineration or landfill acceptable according to local guidelines
Packaging Disposal: Empty containers can be recycled or disposed of as regular scrap, ensure contamination-free before recycling
Special Precautions: Do not discharge molten paraffin into natural waterways, avoid burning in open air to control emission of smoke
UN Number: Non-hazardous for transport, not classified under ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA regulations
Proper Shipping Name: Paraffin Wax
Hazard Classification: Not regulated
Packing Group: No packing group assigned
Label Requirements: None required for shipping
Special Precautions: Prevent cargo from heat and sources of ignition during transport, secure containers to avoid spillage
Regulatory Status: Not classified as hazardous under China GB, OSHA, EU CLP, or US TSCA regulations
Labelling: Not required for most national or international chemical control laws
Inventory Status: Listed in EINECS, TSCA, AICS, DSL, and other international inventories
Other Standards: Complies with national standards for food contact and cosmetic use in certain refinements
Worker Protection: Covered under general worker safety regulations for substances without acute hazard classification
Local Requirements: Always check regional occupational health and fire code requirements before use or disposal
