Residue wax, also known as foots oil, is the final byproduct produced after slack wax goes through pressing and decoloring.
As a result, it contains a unique mixture of oil and wax.
This material forms during the last stages of paraffin wax production, making it an important part of the petroleum refining process.
Because of its properties, foots oil is widely used across different industries worldwide.
Residue wax has a brown color and contains a high oil content, which makes it suitable for various uses.
Therefore, it plays a key role in many industrial sectors.
Common applications include:
Match production – ideal for match heads and sticks.
Lubricants and greases – used in industrial machinery.
Explosives and fireworks – helps bind explosive materials safely.
Fuel bricks – works as a component in solid fuel production.
Tires and rubber goods – improves flexibility and durability.
Plastic production – used as a processing aid.
Shoe soles – adds strength and elasticity.
Polishes and matchboxes – provides shine and durability.
Consequently, foots oil remains a versatile raw material with many industrial benefits.
Proper packaging is essential to ensure safe handling and shipping.
Typically, foots oil is packed in steel drums, which prevent leaks and contamination.
In contrast, bags are not recommended because they cannot protect the product during transportation.
Thus, steel drums remain the preferred packaging option for both domestic and international shipments.
Although both products come from petroleum refining, they have clear differences in composition, structure, and use.
Understanding these differences helps manufacturers select the correct material for their processes.
1. Composition
Paraffin Wax:
This is a solid hydrocarbon obtained from petroleum. It consists of highly refined, purified hydrocarbons.
Foots Oil:
This is a residue mixture containing heavier hydrocarbons, unsaturated compounds, and various impurities left after paraffin wax production.
As a result, paraffin wax is much purer than foots oil.
Paraffin Wax:
Solid at room temperature with a melting point between 45°C and 68°C (113°F to 154°F), depending on its grade.
Foots Oil:
Semi-liquid or fully liquid at normal temperatures.
Therefore, their handling and storage requirements are quite different.
3. Appearance and Texture
Paraffin Wax:
White or colorless, smooth, and crystalline. It is often sold as blocks, flakes, or pellets.
Foots Oil:
Dark, viscous, and thick in consistency.
Hence, they are easily distinguishable by sight and touch.
4. Uses and Applications
Paraffin Wax:
Used for candles, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food preservation, and packaging. It provides heat retention, a moisture barrier, and excellent fragrance release.
Foots Oil:
Mainly used as a raw material for refining and distillation to create higher-grade waxes or other petrochemical products.
In summary, paraffin wax serves more consumer-focused industries, while foots oil supports industrial production.
5. Purity Levels
Paraffin Wax:
Undergoes additional processing, such as solvent extraction and filtration, to remove impurities and reach a high purity level.
Foots Oil:
Contains residual oil, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and solid particles, making it less refined.
Thus, paraffin wax is cleaner and better suited for direct consumer applications.
6. Melting and Solidification
Paraffin Wax:
Has a specific melting point and solidifies below that temperature.
As a result, it can be melted and re-solidified many times without losing quality.
Foots Oil:
Lacks a fixed melting point since it stays semi-liquid or fully liquid under normal conditions.
Consequently, its handling differs greatly from paraffin wax.
Foots oil is an important byproduct of paraffin wax production.
Although it contains more impurities and has fewer direct consumer uses, it remains essential for several industries such as rubber, tires, matches, lubricants, and polishes.
By understanding the differences between paraffin wax and foots oil, manufacturers can choose wisely, improving production quality and efficiency.
A: Foots Oil, also known as Residue Wax, is a by-product obtained during the refining of paraffin wax. It contains a natural blend of oil and wax, giving it a soft texture and excellent lubricating properties. This material is valued for its versatility in industrial applications where both waxy and oily characteristics are required.
A: Foots Oil is used across many industries due to its unique composition. It is widely applied in tire and rubber production, polish and match manufacturing, as a raw material in lubricants and greases, and in shoe and leather goods. It is also used in making fuel bricks and as an additive in various conservation products.
A: Unlike refined paraffin wax, which has a low oil content and a solid structure, Foots Oil has a higher percentage of oil. This gives it a softer consistency and makes it more suitable for blending, plasticizing, and lubricating purposes. While paraffin wax is preferred for candles and cosmetics, Foots Oil is ideal for heavy industrial applications.