What is mineral oil, and its uses? All details about mineral oil.
What is mineral oil, and its uses? All details about mineral oil.
Mineral oil is a clear, colourless, odourless liquid derived from petroleum. It’s composed mainly of alkanes and paraffinic compounds, making it a hydrocarbon-based oil. Here are some key details about mineral oil and its uses:
Composition: Mineral oil primarily consists of various types of alkanes, ranging from simpler molecules like methane and ethane to more complex ones such as octane and nonane. It’s typically a mixture of straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic hydrocarbons.
Properties:
Odorless: Mineral oil doesn’t have a strong smell, making it suitable for use in products where odour is undesirable.
Insoluble in water: It doesn’t dissolve in water, which makes it useful for applications where water resistance is needed.
Non-conductive: Mineral oil is an electrical insulator, so it’s often used in electrical transformers and other high-voltage equipment to prevent short circuits.