Polyethylene wax: properties and features

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Few people know that in many industries such a compound as polyethylene wax is used. Perhaps even its name surprises some. However, the substance exists and is synthetic, and the method of obtaining it is the Fischer-Tropsch method with the participation of gas synthesis.

General description of the substance

The main use of polyethylene wax is an additive that serves to increase the carcass of candles. In addition, it is used to improve the quality of model compositions that can be used during color casting and in the manufacture of wax figures.

There are some of the most common materials that belong to this group. These include paraffin, AF-1 alloy, ZV-1 wax, Paralight 17, 3zV-1 wax, Parazon 11, Svoz-60.

There is a wax that is obtained by processing pure ethylene. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it does not have any functional groups, but is used only as an external lubricant.

There is an oxidized polyethylene wax, which differs in that it contains different amounts of acidic groups. because ofThis factor is quite easy to achieve emulsification. As for its properties, it has all the qualities of both external and internal lubrication.

Basic Features

Physical and chemical characteristics of polyethylene wax may differ depending on which type it belongs to. Most often, this substance is presented in the form of flakes, granules or powder. In this form, its bulk density is 0.9g/cm3, the melting point reaches 107 degrees Celsius, and the melt viscosity is 350±50.

The advantage of polyethylene wax is that it exhibits excellent lubricity during extrusion. Both oxidized and non-oxidized compounds can be obtained by using the synthetic method.

In terms of texture, the wax is usually yellow or white in color and is produced in fine flakes with a number of constant characteristics. To obtain it, they resort to the method of polymerization of polyethylene.

Wax type parameters

Oxidized synthetic substance is distinguished by several features. Its color is almost white, melting point is 99-108, and solidification is 94-100 degrees Celsius. At the same time, in the cold state, its hardness is in the range of 350-400 bar, and the density is 0.96 g/cm3.

The unoxidized synthetic group of this substance is white. Its melting point is slightly higher and is 101-109 degrees Celsius, andhere the freezing point remains the same. When cold, non-oxidized wax is also characterized by a lower hardness, only 150-300 bar. The density has decreased, but not by much, and is 0.93 g/cm3.

It makes sense to consider the characteristics of PV-200 polyethylene wax, since it is quite common. The melt viscosity of this synthetic compound at a temperature of at least 140 degrees Celsius reaches from 180 to 300. When dropping, the indicator is at least 103 0 C, and the mass fraction of ash in the mixture does not exceed 0.02 %. This raw material is produced in the form of spherical particles with a very small diameter.

Use of oxidized and non-oxidized HP in industry

As for the use of non-oxidized synthetic material, it is excellent for the following purposes:

• used in electronic devices;
• works well in paper insulation as well as when used with polishes;
• included in blends of technical creams used in everyday life;
• serves as an excellent component in the manufacture of model wax compositions;
• The production of printing inks, as well as pigmenting masterbatches, cannot do without the use of non-oxidized polyethylene wax HD.

This is not a complete list of areas in which the non-oxidized composition of the synthetic substance is successfully used.

If we talk about the scope of oxidized raw materials, then it is significantlyless.

• in demand in the food industry for its glazing properties;
• often used as a catalyst when plasticising composites and PVC is required;
• can be used as a coating that will have good water repellency;
• actively used as an external lubricant;
• The last vector of application is the manufacture of products based on PVC.

Who makes synthetic raw materials?

Today, the production of polyethylene wax is quite well developed in Belarus, where the company JSC "Naftan" is engaged in it. In addition, there is another foreign supplier - the American office of Micro Powders, Inc.

It is worth noting that this substance is a polymer, which is the most widely used both in everyday life and in industry. The main problem of this material is its processing, as it is very difficult to decompose. In order to subject raw materials to a secondary technological process and prepare them for domestic use, it is necessary to carry out preliminary work. For this, either a mechanical or physico-chemical method is used.

Processing

Since this material is synthetic, it needs to be pre-cleaned. Today it is carried out with the help of separation. As for the physicochemical method of preparation for processing, it is rather complicated in terms of implementation. But if its stillcarry out, then as a result it will be possible to obtain very high-quality raw materials of the secondary type. Now you know what synthetic wax is.