Petrolatum is a wax from the petroleum waxes group. In appearance, petrolatum is a very soft, viscous and sticky mass (similar to vaseline), usually white to dark brown, having a relatively high melting temperature between 75 – 90°C.
In composition, petrolatum is a mixture of paraffins, microcrystalline waxes and oils, which is obtained in two main methods in the oil processing in refineries. In the first method, petrolatum is obtained by dewaxing residual oils with sulfuric acid. The second method is a selective solution purification, comprising several stages of mixing, cooling and centrifugation to obtain a final product.
Petrolatum is a raw material for the production of microcrystalline waxes. It is also used in the manufacturing of lubricants and electrical insulation compounds. Other applications of petrolatum are: protective coatings, rubber and plastic products, investment casting.