Polyethylene wax

Polyethylene wax /Polypropylene wax act as activator and dispersing material for Polyethylene, Polypropylene, ABS resins.They impart slip and scuff resistance to ink films.Lately, polyolefinic waxes are also used directly in micro-pulverised form.The addition of Polyethylene wax to hydrocarbon waxes increases the melting points of such waxes to a marked degree.

These waxes are compatible with petroleum and other waxes.

Polyethylene wax can be made in two main grades, emulsifiable and non emulsifiable ones.

Emulsifiable polyethylene wax:

Emulsifiable polyethylene wax is an important textile processing chemical

Emulsifiable polyethylene wax is used in textile finishing, leather auxilliaries, cosmetics, crayons, polishes, paper coating, adhesives and packing industry.

Non emulsifiable polyethylene wax:

Non emulsifiable polyethylene wax is used as carriers for pigment concentrates,lubricants for plastics and elastomers, paints and printing ink industry.

Applications:

1. Use in textile sector

Polyethylene wax emulsions are stable softeners. Polyethylene is present in the emulsion in the form of dispersion of fine particles in water.

Usually a non ionic emulsifier is used to emulsify polyethylene because it is compatible with most finishing ingredients. These emulsions tolerate the presence of acids,polyvalent metal salts, amine hydrochlorides, resin precondensates etc.

2.Use in food packaging sector

Low molecular weight polyethylenes having wax like properties are used in conjunction with petroleum waxes in food packaging applications.

3.Use in coating sector

Waxes have a long history of use in printing inks, paints and coatings. They impart mark and scratch resistance, improved slip, rub resistance and water repellancy. The main characteristics to consider when selecting a wax are its particle size, hardness and melting point. Waxes are commonly added to a maximum level of 0.25% to 2.0% of the ink or

coating formulation.

4.Use in inks sector

Rub resistance/scratch resistance: Waxes, including polyethylenes are employed as additives to almost every ink type which encompasses letterpress, lithographic, gravure and flexgraphic. Thus, the waxes are used from dispersions in a wide variety of solvents ranging from oils, aliphatics and aromatics to glycols and water.