PE WAX
PE WAX or Polyethylene wax is a low molecular weight polyethylene polymer known by the abbreviation PEW. Due to its low molecular weight, polyethylene wax has wax-like physical properties, which include properties such as low viscosity, high hardness (brittleness) and a relatively high melting point. Wax or polyethylene wax is obtained as a by-product of polyethylene production. This material has various uses and is available in two types of HDPE and LDPE. Polyethylene wax can be used as a dispersant, slip agent, resin additive and mold release agent.
PE WAX Production Methods
There are different ways to produce polyethylene wax. Polyethylene wax can be made by direct polymerization of ethylene under special conditions that control the molecular weight and chain branching of the final polymer. Another method involves thermal or mechanical decomposition of high molecular weight polyethylene resin to create lower molecular weight fractions. The third method involves separating the low molecular weight fraction from the high molecular weight polymer production stream.
There are three main characteristics that distinguish one polyethylene wax from another. They are: Molecular Weight Degree and length of polymer branching Monomer or polymer composition Changing any of these factors changes the physical characteristics of polyethylene wax such as viscosity, hardness, melting point, reactivity, etc. Homopolymer polyethylene wax can be functionalized using oxidation which adds acid and ester functional groups to the polyethylene wax. Oxidized polyethylene wax is polar and has different compatibility properties than polyethylene homopolymer. This capability allows emulsification of oxidized polyethylene wax and also increases compatibility with polar materials such as PVC.
The difference between polyethylene wax and paraffin: Paraffin wax is usually produced as a byproduct of oil refining. Its molecular weight is usually less than half that of most polyethylene waxes. Because of this and other differences, paraffin wax typically has a much lower melting point and is softer than many polyethylene waxes. FT waxes are another category of waxes that are produced only by a limited number of suppliers (such as Shell and Sasol) due to the need for large capital in the construction of these factories. FT waxes are produced in the manufacturing process of Synfuel. Changes in the properties of FT waxes are generally limited to changes in melting point.
Polyethylene wax applications
PE WAX have very unique polymer properties that make them useful in many applications. The main function of polyethylene wax in many formulas is lubrication or physical modification of the formula by changing the viscosity or melting point. In fact, its applications are wide: In the production of glue in order to increase the freezing temperature of the glue In order to increase the quality of paper covers Made by master Bach, Textile production, candle making, Covering Toner and ink production, As an additive in asphalt production and PE WAX in PVC.