Petrolatums

Petrolatums

Petrolatum is derived from high-viscosity, paraffin-based crude oils. Petrolatums contain minute (or micro), crystalline waxes. Oil is occluded within and between these small crystals. Petrolatum contains both paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons; the olefinic hydrocarbons. Olefinic hydrocarbons give petrolatum its "slippery" (oleaginous) character.

  • Technical (industrial) petrolatum has a wide range of applications. Some examples: rubber processing aids; printing inks; carbon papers; buffing and polishing compounds; shoe polishes; corrosion preventatives; solder pastes; candles; dust control.
  • For uses in close contact with human skin (pharmaceuticals, for example) petrolatum must be refined (USP grade). USP petrolatum has a specific gravity of 0.815-0.865 at 60°C.
  • Crucial characteristics of the "pets" (of which Vaseline is one example) include: 1) melting points; 2) penetration or hardness; 3) color; 4) viscosity.

 


IRM Petrolatums Melting Point (°F) Melting Point (°C)
Indrapet 48-W 118 Avg. 100.5-133 48 Avg. 38-56
Indrapet 68-E 156 Avg. 69 Avg.
Indrapet XXX 147 Avg. 142-160 64 Avg. 61-71
Indrapet 6515 163 Avg. 154-177 73 Avg. 68-81

 

Petrolatums Safety Data Sheet