Paraffin wax is a mixture dominated by relatively long-chain saturated hydrocarbons. It usually softens or melts over a range because its molecular components do not all have one identical size and structure.
Chain length, branching, and crystalline packing influence that behavior. A wax specimen is therefore more accurately described by composition and melting characteristics than by assigning it one molecular formula.
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Paraffin wax is a type of wax that is derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil. It is a white or colorless solid that is odorless and tasteless. Paraffin wax is made up of long-chain hydrocarbons, and its melting point typically ranges from about 46 to 68 degrees Celsius (115 to 154 degrees Fahrenheit).