Mineral Oils

Mineral oils, also known as white oils or liquid paraffins, are a type of oil derived from petroleum. They are called mineral oils because they are obtained from crude oil, which is a mixture of hydrocarbons found in the Earth's crust.

Mineral oils are highly refined and purified to remove impurities, such as sulfur and aromatic compounds, making them suitable for various applications. They are composed mainly of saturated hydrocarbons, which means their carbon atoms are bonded to hydrogen atoms without any double or triple bonds.

Mineral oils have several properties that make them useful in different industries. Some common characteristics of mineral oils include:

• High chemical stability: Mineral oils are chemically stable and do not easily react with other substances. This property makes them suitable for use as lubricants, electrical insulators, and in various industrial applications.
• Low volatility: Mineral oils have low volatility, meaning they evaporate slowly at normal temperatures. This property makes them useful as lubricants that can withstand high temperatures without evaporating or breaking down.
• Good electrical insulating properties: Mineral oils have excellent electrical insulating properties, making them suitable for use in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment.

Mineral oils have a wide range of applications. They are used as lubricants in machinery, hydraulic systems, and automotive engines. They are also used as coolants, insulating oils, and heat transfer fluids. In addition, mineral oils find applications in the pharmaceutical industry as a base for ointments and creams, in the cosmetic industry for products like lotions and moisturizers, and in the food industry as a food-grade lubricant or release agent.