Chemical Definition

• Paraffin is a general term for what is known chemically as alkanes. An alkane is any molecule consisting of a chain of carbon atoms bonded together, with hydrogen atoms filling all the extra bonding sites along the sides and at the ends.
  
  

Low and High Carbon

• Alkanes can come in any size, from a single carbon atom (methane) to very long chains. Low-carbon paraffin consists of shorter chain alkanes, while high-carbon paraffin consists of longer chains. Longer chains have more intermolecular interaction and, therefore, constitute a thick liquid or solid.
  
  

Heavy Oil and Wax

• High-carbon paraffin also is known as either heavy paraffin oil or paraffin wax, depending on just how high-carbon it is. Medium length carbon chains result in thick oil, while very long chains result in a waxy solid.