General name of low molecular weight polymeric materials that are solid at room temperature and can soften at nearly 50-100°C. Waxes are traditionally produced from animals (e.g., Beeswax, Spermaceti), plants (e.g., Carnauba wax, from the leaves of the Carnauba palm) and petroleum products (e.g., Paraffin wax). Waxes are chemically synthesized by polymerization of ester, alcohol and carboxylic acid or their mixtures. Other than natural waxes there are specific purpose synthetic waxes. Some of these waxes are used as additives in paint. See Also
Synthetic waxes