48 Leone Lane
Chester,NY 10918, USA
Ph (888) CHEMCOR
                (243-6267)
Ph (845) 469-5800
Fax (845) 469-5855

ABOUT WAX

Waxes have been used for centuries for waterproofing, for candles and for polishing compounds. Currently there are many different products which are classified as waxes. Our specialty is in taking these typically hydrophobic compounds and making water based, broadly compatible emulsions and dispersions, so that formulators can incorporate them easily into their products. These products include: floor finishes, furniture polishes, auto polishes and shampoos, paints, graphic arts coatings, inks, paper coatings, industrial coatings, fruit coatings, mold release compounds, latex and synthetic latex products, sizing aids for textiles, textile softeners, leather coatings and can and coil coatings to name a few.

Waxes typically have the following properties:
Solid at room temperature
Melt above 45°C/113°F without decomposing
Low viscosity above melt point
Polishable with pressure
Translucent to opaque, not glassy

Waxes can help the formulator improve or modify the following properties: water resistance, adhesion, rub resistance, release, slip, anti-blocking, lubricity and gloss.

Waxes can be classified as Natural or Synthetic.

NATURAL WAXES

Natural waxes are derived from animal/plant sources such as bees wax, candelilla, carnauba, and bayberry. Natural waxes can also be mined such as montan wax or be derived from petroleum such as paraffin wax.

CARNAUBA WAX   Carnauba is natural vegetable wax which occurs as a protective coating on the leaves of Copernica Cerifera, a Brazilian palm tree. Carnauba is a hard, brittle wax which melts at 86°C/187°F. Carnauba emulsions have broad FDA approvals. Carnauba emulsions are used in fruit coatings, can coatings, furniture polishes, graphic arts coatings and latex products.

MONTAN WAX    Montan is a mineral wax derived from lignite primarily in German lignite mines. The material is refined and may be esterified before being emulsified. Montan can be used as a Carnauba substitute and is light in color with good release and polishability.

PARAFFIN WAX     Paraffin wax is a by product of petroleum refining. Paraffin is a soft, low molecular weight straight chain hydrocarbon, low melting (120°F-160°F/49°C-71°C) wax. Paraffin emulsions are used for water resistance, anti-blocking release and barrier properties in paint and coatings.

SYNTHETIC WAXES

Synthetic waxes are produced primarily from ethylene. These materials are less variable than natural products and less inclined to price fluctuations since supply is not dependent on weather, rain fall etc. which can affect Carnauba production.

POLYETHYLENE WAX      Polyethylene waxes are manufactured from ethylene which is generally produced from natural gas. The polyethylene we use is either oxidized or co-polymerized with acrylic acid to give the polyethylene chemical functionality which allows it to be emulsified. Polyethylene is classified as either high density polyethylene (HDPE) or low density polyethylene (LDPE). HDPE is higher melting (110°C-140°C/230°F-284°F) and is harder. HDPE is used to improve rub resistance, slip and anti-blocking. LDPE is lower melting (100°C-110°C/212°F-230°F) and softer. LDPE is used for lubricity, release, rub resistance and as a coeffient of friction modifier.

POLYPROPYLENE WAX     Polypropylene wax is generally polymerized from propylene and then either maleated or oxidized to give chemical functionality so that it is more easily emulsified. Polypropylenes are hard materials with molecular weights from 10,000-60,000+ and high melting points from 120°C-160°C/248°F-320°F. Polypropylenes are used to lower coefficient of friction in floor finishes and water borne coatings.

TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE) WAX     PTFE is a fluorocarbon polymer. PTFE has extreme heat resistance 330°C/626°F+. The fluorine component gives this product additional release, slip and rub characteristics. Many fluorinated products also help with grease and oil resistance.

ETHYLENE-ACRYLIC ACID (EAA)     EAA co-polymer properties are more resin like than wax. These polymers have high 20% acrylic acid content. These products are high molecular weight with excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates. EAA dispersions are film formers with good barrier properties. They can be crosslinked with a wide range of crosslinkers to increase their resistance properties. Because of their broad FDA approvals these products can be used in food packaging applications.