Polyethylene wax | PE wax

Polyethylene wax (PE wax), or polymer wax, is called polyethylene wax. It is widely used because of its excellent cold, heat, chemical, and abrasion resistance. In normal production, this part of the wax as an additive can be added directly to the polyolefin processing, which can increase the gloss and processing performance of the product. As a lubricant, it is chemically stable and has good electrical properties. Polyethylene wax is compatible with polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene propylene rubber, and butyl rubber. It can improve the flowability of polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS and the demouldability of polymethyl methacrylate and polycarbonate. PVC and other external lubricants have stronger internal lubrication than polyethylene wax.

Introduction to polyethylene wax

Polyethylene wax (tissue mat E) is a chemical material in which the polyethylene wax is colored as small white micro-beads/flakes, which is formed by the polymerization of ethylene as a rubber processing agent, and which has a high melting point, high hardness, high gloss, and snow-white color.

Polyethylene waxes are homopolymers or copolymers of low molecular weight polyethylene widely used in coatings. The term wax refers to the fact that the polymer ends up in the form of microcrystals floating on the surface of the coating and plays a similar but more varied and practical role than paraffin.

The main functions of polyethylene waxes in solvent-based coatings are:

• Matting, anti-scratch, anti-abrasion, anti-polishing, anti-engraving, anti-adhesion, anti-precipitation, thixotropy.
• Good lubricity and processability.
• Metal pigment positioning.

The function principle of polyethylene wax is as follows. Polyethylene wax is dissolved in the solvent at high temperature (about 100-140℃). It precipitates when cooling to room temperature, and exists in the form of microcrystalline in the paint. This is favorable to the storage of the paint because of its thixotropy. It can migrate to the surface layer of the coating film during the volatilization of solvents after the paint is applied. Finally, it forms a “waxing” with other components of the paint. After application, the substance migrates to the surface of the coating film. This happens during solvent evaporation. It eventually forms a “waxed” surface layer with the other components of the coating.

The role of the polyethylene wax depends on several factors: the specification of the polyethylene wax, the fineness of the final particles, the ability to migrate to the surface of the coating film and the composition of the coating, the nature of the substrate to be coated, the method of construction and application, etc.

The production process of polyethylene wax

Cracked polyethylene wax is made from high molecular weight polyethylene as the main raw material by adding other auxiliary materials and through a series of depolymerization reactions. The depolymerization reaction is the most critical part of the production of polyethylene wax, and the whole process of depolymerization reaction should be carried out in a closed reactor.

Physical Properties Particles

TEST ITOM	UNIT	TEST RESULT	TEAT METHOD
VISCOSITY 149℃	CP	19.4	ASTM D 3236
DENSITY	g/cm3	0.93	ASTM D 1505
DROPPING POINT	C	115	ASTM D 3954
PENETRATION INDEX	–	4	ASTM D 1321
WHITENESS(WI)	–	85	ASTM D 1544

Application of polyethylene wax

1. Thick color masterbatch and filler masterbatch. It is used as a dispersant in color masterbatch processing and polyolefin masterbatches. It is compatible with polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene. It also works with other resins. It has excellent external and internal lubrication.
2. PVC profiles, pipes, and composite stabilizers are used as dispersants, lubricants, and brighteners in the PVC manufacturing process. They’re also used in the PE.PP molding process. They enhance plasticization and improve plastic products’ toughness and surface smoothness. It is also widely used in the production of PVC compound stabilizers.
3. Ink has good light resistance and chemical properties. It can be used as a pigment carrier, and to improve the abrasion resistance of paint ink and the dispersion of pigments and fillers. It has a good anti-settling effect, and can be used as a paint and ink leveling agent to give products a good luster and three-dimensional sense.
4. Wax products are widely used in the production of floor wax, car wax, polish wax, candles, and crayons. They improve the softening point, strength, and surface gloss of wax products.
5. cable material Used as a lubricant for cable insulation materials can enhance the diffusion of filler, improve the extrusion molding rate, increase the flow of molds, and convenient de-molding.
6. hot melt products Used in various hot melt adhesives, thermosetting powder coatings, road marking paint, marking paint, and dispersants have a good anti-settling effect and make the products have a good gloss and three-dimensional sense.
7. Rubber is a processing aid for rubber. It enhances filler diffusion, improves extrusion rate, and increases mold flow. It also eases mold removal and improves the product’s surface brightness and smoothness after film release.
8. Cosmetics Make products have good gloss and three-dimensional sense.
9. injection molding: Save machine power lubrication and enhance the surface gloss of products.

Scope of application

1. It has excellent external lubrication and strong internal lubrication. It is also compatible with polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and other resins. This makes it suitable as a lubricant in extrusion, calendering, and injection processing.

It can be used as a lubricant in extrusion, calendering, and injection processing. It can improve processing efficiency. It can prevent and overcome film, pipe, and sheet adhesion. It can improve finished product smoothness and gloss, and appearance.

2. Thick color masterbatch, filler masterbatch, and various thermoplastic resins contain a dispersant. Degrading the dispersant in the masterbatch can enhance the processing of HDPE, PP, and PVC. This improves surface gloss, lubricity, and thermal stability.

3. It is used as a lubricant for cable insulation materials. It can enhance the diffusion of filler, improve the extrusion rate, increase the flow of the mold, and make it easy to release.

4. It is a rubber processing aid. It can enhance the diffusion of filler and improve the extrusion molding rate. It can also increase the flow of the mold and facilitate demolding.

5. This material has good light resistance and chemical properties. It can be used as a pigment carrier. It can improve the wear resistance of paints and inks. It can also improve the dispersion of pigments and fillers, preventing the pigment from sinking. This material can also be used as a leveling agent for paints and inks.

6. It can improve abrasion resistance, tear strength, wrinkle resistance, and sewability of non-iron clothes. It can also reduce needle cutting and adjust the degree of touch.

7. It can improve the gloss, durability, hardness, and anti-abrasion of paper, increase water and drug resistance, and increase the beauty of paper.

8. It can be added to various paraffin waxes to improve performance. Excellent electrical insulator properties are added to insulating oil, paraffin, or microcrystalline paraffin. This allows the softening temperature, viscosity, and insulation properties to be used for cable insulation, capacitors, and transformer windings. The coating is moisture-proof.

9. it can also be used to manufacture leather shoe polish, candles, crayons, cosmetics, leather agents, hot melt adhesives, etc.

It has many uses, such as making masterbatches, granules, and plastisols. It is also used in PVC pipes, hot melt adhesives, rubber, shoe polish, leather brighteners, cable insulators, floor waxes, plastic profiles, inks, and injection molding.