At what temperature is paraffin kept in a molten state during processing?

Paraffin is typically kept in a molten state at a temperature that is above its melting point to ensure it remains liquid and can be easily manipulated for processing, such as in embedding tissues for histological analysis. Keeping it at 2 - 4°C above the melting point provides an optimal range for working with the material, preventing it from solidifying while also ensuring it reaches a suitable viscosity for pouring and embedding.

This temperature range is crucial as it allows for effective infiltration of tissues with paraffin, promoting better preservation of cellular structures for subsequent histopathological examination. By maintaining the paraffin just above its melting point, laboratory personnel can efficiently work with it while ensuring a smooth transition from solid to liquid, which is vital for the quality of tissue samples.