Solid or semisolid materials derived from petroleum distillates or residues. Light-colored, more or less translucent crystalline masses, slightly greasy to the touch, consisting of a mixture of solid hydrocarbons in which the paraffin series predominates. Included are all marketable waxes, whether crude scale or fully refined. Used primarily as industrial coating for surface protection.

Waxes are esters formed by the combination of fatty acids with high molecular weight alcohols. In most cases, waxes are hard, brittle substances with high melting points. A notable exception is Sperm Oil which is a liquid obtained from the head cavity of the Sperm Whale.