Paraffin Wax / Oil is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid, with a typical melting point between about 47 °C and 64 °C ( 116.6°F to 147.2°F), and having a density of around 0.9 g/cm3.It is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters. Paraffin Wax / Oil is unaffected by most common chemical reagents, but burns readily. Pure Paraffin wax / Oil is an excellent electrical insulator, with an electrical resistivity of between 1013 and 1017 ohm metre.

In industrial applications, Paraffin Wax / Oil is often useful to modify the crystal properties of the paraffin wax / Oil, typically by adding branching to the existing carbon backbone chain. The modification is usually done with additives, such as Eva copolymers, microcrystalline wax, or forms of polyethylene. The branched properties result in a modified paraffin with a higher viscosity, smaller crystalline structure, and modified functional properties.