White mineral oils are integral to many applications throughout a breadth of industries. White mineral oil is also known as white oil, mineral oil, liquid petroleum, paraffin oil, liquid paraffin and paraffinum. At a glance, white mineral oils are odorless and colorless. These ultra-pure, refined mineral oils are a mixture of paraffinic isoalkanes and naphthenic molecules.
Industry Uses
White mineral oils are food- and medical-grade, making them popular in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This type of mineral oil can be safely used as a lubricating agent in food processing plants as it is approved for food contact. This allows manufacturing without concern of contamination of the products that can happen with less pure standard lubricants.
White oils are also popular in the plastics and rubber manufacturing industries. They help with the softening of rubber products and are essential in the production of polystyrene, PVC and different types of rubbers. This is critical for producing food packaging and utensils out of plastic. It can also be readily found in glues, cleaning products, polishes and plastic toys. The range of uses for white mineral oils has only grown in the past couple of decades, and it is expected to keep growing in the future with the focus on protecting the public.
The process oils commonly found in rubber manufacturing typically have a viscosity between 70 and 1,500 SUS at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Mineral oil distributors typically offer a range of mineral oil products that vary in viscosity, as you’ll see below.
White Oil Renoil 70-W
In our white oil Renoil 70-W, the name specifies the viscosity of the oil and the -W signifies food grade quality. The higher the number the more viscous the product. Renoil 70-W is typically used in products that will be ingested or used directly on people’s skin. This can include pharmaceuticals such as capsules and topical ointments, personal care like baby oil, lotions, sunscreens, cosmetics and hair products, as well as coatings on foods, including egg, fruit, and vegetable coatings as well as grain dust control.
White Oil Renoil 220-W
As the number suggests, this product is much more viscous than our 70-W. While it is also used in cosmetics and food packaging, this type of oil can also be found in baking pan oils and food-grade lubricants. Some additional applications can include cutting board oil and hotmelt adhesives.
White Oil Renoil 350-W and 500-W
White oil is found readily throughout the personal care industry in baby oils. These more viscous oils are used in the production of plastics and as a thermoplastic rubber extender oil. These can include PVC lubricants, polystyrene lubricants, plastic annealing and catalyst carriers.
Conclusion
Renkert Renoil USP white mineral oils are used in a multitude of applications and industries. Available in a range of viscosities, white oil is suitable for medical, food and cosmetic use, as well as in the plastics and rubber manufacturing industries. If you’d like an expert opinion on the type that’s right for you, reach out to Renkert Oil and speak to someone on our team. The optimum oil for your application helps ensure productivity and the production of quality products.