Mineral wax

White, translucent waxy material composed of a series of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, generally obtained from the fractional distillation of petroleum, shale oil, lignite, or coal. Mineral waxes are relatively pure materials that have little to none of the alcohols or esters found in plant waxes and beeswax. Examples of purified mineral waxes are paraffin, ceresin, microcrystalline, and petrolatum, which are stable and unreactive. They are used as a substitute for or extender of beeswax, and in polishes, candles, printing inks, crayons, phonographic records, and insulation.