• Paraffin wax is a multipurpose substance that is used to make crayons and lubricate bullets.wax crayons image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
  
  Paraffin wax is an odorless, colorless substance from a chemical family of alkane hydrocarbons. All substances in this family are composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms at a ratio of n to 2n +1. Paraffin wax is considered a heavy alkane hydrocarbon because it has between 20 and 40 atoms of carbon (and 42 to 82 atoms of hydrogen). In its rawest form, paraffin wax requires only this ratio of carbon and hydrogen atoms, though most consumer and industrial paraffin wax also contains one of three additives.
  
  

Ethylene-vinyl Acetate Copolymers

• When combined with an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), paraffin wax becomes more elastic and adhesive. Hot glue sticks and crayons are made from this combination of materials.
  
  

Microcrystalline Wax

• The combination of paraffin and microcrystalline wax creates a flexible, opaque substance with a high melting point. This substance is often added to printer ink to make it dry faster and last longer.
  
  

Polythylene

• A combination of certain dense derivatives of polyethylene and paraffin produces a rigid substance with a low melting point. It is often employed as an industrial adhesive and as a glide wax for surfers and snowboarders.