Introduction to wax

Waxes are a diverse class of organic compounds that are hydrophobic, malleable solids near
ambient temperatures. They include higher alkanes and lipids, typically with melting points
above 40°C, melting to give low viscosity liquids. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in
organic, non-polar solvents. Different types of natural waxes are produced by plants and
animals and occur in petroleum.

Waxes may also include various functional groups such as fatty acids, primary and secondary
long-chain alcohols, unsaturated bonds, aromatics, amides, ketones, and aldehydes. They
frequently contain fatty acid esters as well. Synthetic waxes are often long-chain
hydrocarbons (alkanes or paraffins) that lack functional groups.

In manufacturing processes, wax materials are often used for their easy-to-remove properties.
Wax has the property of burning with very low residues, making it perfect for investment
casting, also called lost wax casting.

Waxes are mainly consumed industrially as components of complex formulas, often for
coatings. The main use of polyethylene and polypropylene waxes is in the formulation of
plastic colorants. Waxes provide matting effects and wear resistance to paints. Polyethylene
waxes are incorporated into inks in the form of dispersions to decrease friction. They are
employed as release agents, used as slip agents in furniture, and provide corrosion
resistance(.1)

Wax Types and Properties

Wax is a generic term that encompasses materials that have some specific properties
such as:

 Solid at 20°C, varying from soft / plastic to brittle / hard

 A mp > 40°C without decomposing
 A relatively low viscosity slightly above the melting point
 Transparency to opaque, but not glass-like
 Buffable under slight pressure

This includes:

 Natural products based on C16 - C 36 Fatty Acids or

 Some synthetic polymers with Mw from 700 to 10.000
Waxes are often classified according to their origin as illustrated in the table below:

Naturally Occurring Waxes

Synthetic
Waxes
Animal Vegetable Mineral

Beeswax Carnauba Montan PP, PE & PTFE

Fischer-
Lanolin Candellila Paraffin
Tropsch
Fatty Acid
Lanocerin Jojoba Microcrytalline
Amine
Shellac Ouricourl Intermediate PTFE

Ozokerite Polyamide

Where:

PP = polypropylene
PE = polyethylene
HDPE = High Density Polyethylene
PTFE = Polytetrafluoroethylene

Table below summarizes the main wax properties and corresponding effects imparted or
improved in paint, coating and ink formulations.

Main
Type Properties
Performances

 High melting naturally occuring wax  Slip &

 Different grades (T1, T2, T3) Lubricity
Carnauba  Hard & brittles  Anti-
 Excellent clarity Blocking
 Generally Recognised As Save  Mar
Resistance

Paraffin  Various grades, hence properties depending  Anti-

on refinement degree Blocking
  Hard to oily feeling
 Water
 Mainly composed of straight alkane chains, Repellency
hence some parafffin's have good crystalline
structure, giving excellent barrier effects against  Slip &
water repellency Lubricity
 Very low polarity
 Obtained by polymerization of Ethylene
monomers
 Various grades, hence properties depending
on Mw and polymerisation process  Slip
 Two main families: LDPE and HDPE (Low  Abrasion
PE and High Density PE) whose difference is the Resistance
extend and type of branching  Anti-
 LDPE's display more thoughness, better Blocking
scuff / mar resistance and are more flexible
 HDPE's contribute to better slip properties
and abrasion resistance
 Obtained by polymerization of propylene
 Anti-Slip
monomers
 Anti-
 Good film toughness but poor slip & lubricity
PP Blocking
properties
 Abrasion
 Not really a wax but often classify as such
Resistance
because of impact to surface properties
 Obtained by polymerization of C2F4
monomers
 High melting point and outstanding heat  Slip &
resistance properties (up to 600°F) Lubricity
 Give the lowest known CoF, hence excellent  Anti-
PTFE
slip & lubricity, anti-blocking and abrasion Blocking
resistance  Abrasion
 Chemically inert Resistance
 Not really a wax but often classify as such
because of impact to surface properties
(2)
 1-https://make.3dexperience.3ds.com/materials/introduction-to-wax-materials
https://coatings.specialchem.com/selection-guide/wax-emulsions-for-coatings/wax- -2
#types-and-properties