Precautions for using oxidized polyethylene wax?

Oxidized polyethylene wax has excellent chemical properties. It exhibits good compatibility with fillers, pigments, and polar resins, offering superior lubricity and dispersibility compared to polyethylene wax; it's essentially an upgraded version. Below are some precautions for using oxidized polyethylene wax.

Oxidized polyethylene wax has a relatively high softening point, approaching that of high-molecular-weight polyethylene, with melt viscosity and hardness similar to paraffin wax. As a lubricant, it offers stable chemical and good electrical properties. Oxidized polyethylene wax is now used as a dispersant in inks and paints, providing excellent anti-settling effects and enhancing the gloss and three-dimensionality of prints. It also acts as an internal dispersant during masterbatch processing. Despite its wide range of applications, several precautions are necessary. For example, the compatibility between plastic additives and polymers is crucial. Poor compatibility can lead to additive leaching. The shedding of solid plastic additives is known as "blooming," while the precipitation of liquid plastic additives is called "bleeding" or "exudation." Importantly, precipitation of oxidized polyethylene wax plastic additives renders them ineffective and impacts the appearance of the plastic product. However, it's important to note that some plastic additives don't require good compatibility with the polymer. For instance, lubricants shouldn't be too compatible, otherwise they might act as plasticizers, softening the polymer. The compatibility between a plastic additive and a polymer largely depends on their structural similarity.

Furthermore, the durability of oxidized polyethylene wax should be considered. Loss occurs primarily through three pathways: volatilization, extraction, and migration. Volatilization depends on the additive's structure; for example, dibutyl phthalate has a lower molecular weight than dioctyl phthalate, resulting in significantly higher volatility for the former. Extractability is directly related to its solubility in different media; the appropriate plastic additive should be selected based on the usage environment. Migration refers to the transfer of the additive from the product to adjacent materials, and its likelihood is related to the additive's solubility in different polymers. Another factor is its adaptability to processing conditions. Processing requires heat resistance; the additive shouldn't decompose, volatilize, or sublime at processing temperatures. Additionally, potential corrosion of processing equipment and molds by the additive should be considered. Different polymers have different processing conditions; even for the same polymer, different processing methods may require different additives. In short, the chosen oxidized polyethylene wax should be suitable for the processing conditions.

The above article details precautions for using oxidized polyethylene wax. If you were previously unaware, you can now refer to this information. Future installments will cover related topics. Be sure to check back.