A white, translucent odourless hydrocarbon wax that is chemically inert. Paraffin was first produced commercially in 1867 as a refined petroleum product composed of a mixture of saturated straight chain hydrocarbons (C22-C36). Production consists of separation by distillation followed by chemical treatment and decolorisation. Synthetic paraffin wax made from coal products was introduced after World War II. The snow-white synthetic paraffin is harder and purer than petroleum-based paraffin waxes. Paraffin is used to make sealing materials and for masonry and concrete treatment. Microcrystalline wax is a special refined grade of paraffin wax. Synonyms: microcrystalline wax; paraffin scale. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2000). [J. Cassar, R. de Angelis]