What is polyethylene wax?

What is polyethylene wax?

During polyethylene production, a small amount of oligomers, i.e., low molecular weight polyethylene, also known as high molecular weight wax, is produced. Due to its excellent cold resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and wear resistance, it is widely used. In normal production, this wax can be added directly to polyolefin processing as an additive, which can improve the product's optical properties and processing performance. Polymer wax is a good agent and can also be used as a dispersing lubricant for plastics and pigments, a moisture-proof agent for corrugated cardboard, hot melt adhesives, floor wax, car beauty wax, etc.

2. Functions and Applications of Polyethylene Wax

Polyethylene wax belongs to cracking wax and is mainly used in masterbatches, filler masterbatches defoamers, granulation, plastic steel, PVC pipes, hot melt adhesives, rubber, shoe polish, leather brighteners, cable insulation materials, floor wax, candles, plastic profiles, inks, injection molding, etc. Specific functions are as follows:

1. An important application of polyethylene wax is in PVC processing.

2. PE wax, as an internal lubricant, has good compatibility with polymers. It plays a role in reducing the cohesive force between polymer molecules within the polymer, thereby improving the internal frictional heat generation and melt fluidity of the plastic melt.

3. The role of PE wax as an external lubricant is mainly to improve the friction between the polymer melt and the hot metal surface of the processing equipment.

3. Working Principle of Polyethylene Wax

Polyethylene wax dissolves in a solvent at high temperatures (approximately 100-140℃) and precipitates when cooled to room temperature. It exists in the coating in the form of microcrystals. Due to its thixotropy, which helps with coating storage, it can migrate to the surface of the coating during solvent evaporation after coating, forming a "waxed" surface layer with other components of the coating.

The effect of polyethylene wax depends on the following factors: the type and specifications of polyethylene wax, particle size, ability to migrate to the film surface, coating composition, properties of the substrate to be coated, construction, and application methods, etc.

4. Types and Uses of Polyethylene Wax

Depending on the production process, polyethylene wax can be divided into several types, including oligomeric polyethylene wax, cracked polyethylene wax, composite polyethylene wax, and polymerized polyethylene wax.

Oligomeric polyethylene wax can be considered a product of polyethylene. A small amount of low molecular weight product produced during polyethylene production is polyethylene wax. Polyethylene wax, also known as low molecular weight polyethylene or high molecular weight wax, is a tasteless, non-corrosive white or yellow solid with a relative molecular weight of 1800-8000. It has excellent cold resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and wear resistance, so it is widely used in many industries.

The other two types of polyethylene wax are mainly used in China. In normal production, these waxes can be added directly to the processing of polyolefin products as additives, which can increase the gloss of the product. It can be used as a dispersing lubricant for plastics, pigments, car beauty wax, etc.

Polyethylene wax has good chemical stability, excellent temperature resistance, drug resistance, and electrical properties at room temperature, and has a wide range of applications. It can be used as a raw material for chlorinated polyethylene, a modifier for plastics, a coating agent for textiles, and an additive to improve the viscosity of crude oil and fuel oil.