Polyethylene homopolymer wax is widely used in the plastic industry worldwide. Owing to its chemical composition and properties, this wax is highly demanded in other industries as well. Paint manufacturing industry, petroleum jelly manufacturing industry, and all other items that are categorized under the petrochem industry utilize polyethylene wax accordingly. As per a survey, the demand for PE wax has increased from 2.5% to 4% during 2016-2019. It was expected to surpass 6% which is undoubtedly a high number, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, things have been halted. But, the production of the wax and products created using it would soon gain the pace.
Polyethylene homopolymer wax, or just PE wax, is of two types. Refined PE wax and non-refined PE wax. Both of these waxes are same yet different. So let’s begin with the similarities first in these two types of polyethylene homopolymer wax.
Polyethylene Homopolymer Wax Similarities
Below, the similarities of PE homopolymer wax are mentioned
- It provides low solubility
- It boasts hardness even at extreme temperatures
- It boasts the capability of thickening the oils
- It has low viscosity
- It is chemical resistant
- It formulates flexibility
- It is helpful as unparalleled heat resistant
- It provides excellent lubrication
- It has high compatibility with other waxes
- It is useful as unparalleled heat stability
PE Wax Identification
Only the chemical composition can determine the PE refined/non-refined homopolymer wax. Based on the composition, it is further classified under low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). You can utilize different techniques to recognize PE wax from different materials; sight, contact, smell and so on. This wax is like plastic sheets. It is a semi-clear yellow material. It has a gleaming surface. On the off chance that you cut the material, there are neither debasements nor any partition.
The material has lubricant properties, which you can feel by contact. At room temperature, PE wax is weak and delicate. This is not normal for a phony form, which is harsh and oily. In the event that you need to test the material, think about bubbling it in water for five minutes. Genuine PE wax doesn’t change fit as a fiddle. On the off chance that the wax contains paraffin or some other contamination, you will know it through shape change.
As mentioned previously about the sub-division of PE homopolymer wax into HDPE and LDPE, we’ll now discuss these waxes.
- HDPE Wax
HDPE wax is a low-molecular variant of non-refined PE homopolymer wax. It is widely used for manufacturing plastic and rubber-based products. Its blend is unique because it is formed by extreme rigidness and low melt viscosity point. As HDPE wax emulsions are steady conditioners, they don’t yellow the white textures and don’t change the shade of printing and coloring. Due to its low sub-atomic weight, it utilized in mix with the oil waxes in the food bundling industry.
It has a wide utilization in the coating area inferable from its characteristics like scratch obstruction, rub opposition, water repellency and improved slip. Additionally, PE wax is utilized as a form discharge operator in plastic industry as it has the highlights of releasability, which increases the efficiency level while forestalling contamination and enabling the molding of complex shapes.
HDPE wax plays the role of the key component in following applications:
- Used as a component in industrial paint for pigment dispersion
- Used in hot melt adhesives
- Used as PVC stabilizer
- Used to aid in rubber & plastic processing
- Used to strengthen paper, textile & other manufactured products
- Used in industrial surface coating & as a filler
- Used Widely in textile, dye, ink, rubber, plastics & paper industries
- LDPE Wax
LDPE wax or low-density polyethylene wax is a thermoplastic conceived through monomer ethylene. It is the refined homopolymer wax with high-molecular variants. Since the molecular adjustment remains intact, it is used in the production of sturdy plastic products like bottles, amusement park slides, plastic peripherals, corrosion-resistant containers, inner side of packaged beverages like juice/milk, and more. As compared to HDPE wax, LDPE wax is totally opposite in terms of use. It cannot be used in manufacturing paints and petrochem fluids. The prime difference between LDPE and HDPE waxes is that LDPE is used for producing a plastic product, whereas, HDPE is blended to enhance the strength of the plastic. In layman’s word, HDPE wax is an additive and catalyst at the same time.
LDPE wax is widely used in its powder form. Its addition to different products like petrochem fluids and paints can help them to retain their thickness and non-abrasiveness. All in all, it improves the friction due to its intact molecular structure. Some people use HDPE for improving the friction. It shouldn’t be used because the molecular structure is loose and enhances the smoothness. Due to increased smoothness, the fluids like road marking paint can lose their non-abrasive property.
The following are the uses of LDPE wax
- LDPE wax powder is used as a nucleating agent for expanding polystyrene
- LDPE melted wax can retain the strength of anti-abrasive fluids
- Its addition in petrochem fluid helps in retaining the thickness
- LDPE wax prevents finalized candles from breaking or getting cracked
- LDPE wax is mar-resistant
- LDPE wax is anti-sagging
Wrapping Up
PE wax is heat-steady, low-dissolvable, synthetically safe, and hard. Consolidating these highlights with scraped area resistance and wide liquefying focuses settles on the material the undisputable decision for a wide scope of modern applications. Regardless of whether you need to process elastic, make materials, modifier plastic or coat ridged board, there is an evaluation accessible. As makers may have various evaluations of the material, it would be ideal if you ask so, to a professional company/dealer, for acquiring the best knowledge. Besides, always keep surplus powder form of HDPE/LDPE wax for mixing the solution in case of minor ups and downs. This will prevent the creation of lumps in petrochem fluid and no bubbles would emerge on heating.
