Polyethylene wax  is low molecular weight polyethylene, with a molecular weight of about 2000~5000 and a hydrocarbon mixture with a carbon atom number of about 18~30. The main components of PE wax are straight chain alkanes (about 80%~95%), and a small amount of alkanes with individual branch chains and monocyclic cycloalkanes with long side chains (the total content of the two is less than 20%). So after we understand PE wax, let's get back to the topic and introduce the main features and scope of application of PE wax!

Main characteristics of PE wax:

(1) Due to its excellent external lubrication and strong internal lubrication, and its good compatibility with polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene and other resins, it can be used as a lubricant in extrusion, calendering, and injection processing.

(2) It can improve the processing efficiency, prevent and overcome the adhesion of films, pipes and sheets, improve the smoothness and glossiness of finished products, and improve the appearance of finished products.

(3) As a dispersant for thick color masterbatch of various thermoplastic resins and a lubricating dispersant for filling masterbatch and degradation masterbatch, it can improve the processability, surface gloss, lubricity and thermal stability of HDPE, PP and PVC.

(4) As a lubricant for cable insulation materials, it can enhance the diffusion of filler, increase the extrusion molding rate, increase the mold flow. As a rubber processing additive, it can enhance the diffusion of filler, improve the extrusion molding rate, increase the mold flow, and facilitate demoulding.

(5) With good light resistance and chemical properties, it can be used as the carrier of pigments, improve the abrasion resistance of paints and inks, improve the dispersion of pigments and fillers, prevent pigments from sinking, and can be used as the matting agent of paints and inks.

(6) As a softener and lubricant for natural or synthetic fibers, it can improve the wear resistance, tear strength, wrinkle resistance and the sewing performance of ironless clothes, reduce needle cutting and adjust the tactility. It can improve the glossiness, durability, hardness and abrasion resistance of paper, increase water resistance and drug resistance, and increase the aesthetic feeling of paper.

(7) It can be added into various paraffin waxes to improve the performance of its excellent electrical insulator. It can be added into insulating oil, paraffin wax or microcrystalline paraffin wax to increase its softening temperature, viscosity and insulation performance. It can be used for cable insulation, capacitor and transformer winding moisture-proof coating.

(8) In addition, it can also be used to manufacture leather shoe oil, candles, crayons, cosmetics, leather agents, hot-melt adhesives, etc.

Production method of polyethylene wax

At present, there are three main production methods of polyethylene wax: one is polyethylene wax synthesized by ethylene monomer through oligomerization, such as free radical oligomerization; The second is polyethylene wax prepared by degradation of high polymer; The third is the by-product in the process of polyethylene synthesis, such as polyethylene wax separated from the by-product in high-pressure polyethylene synthesis.

1. Ethylene polymerization

There are three main methods to produce polyethylene wax by ethylene polymerization: one is polymerization under high temperature and high pressure with free radical catalyst; Second, polymerization with Ziegler catalyst under low pressure; The third is metallocene catalyst polymerization.

2. Polyethylene cracking method

The molecular weight distribution of polyethylene wax produced by polymerization is narrow, and the relative molecular weight can be controlled manually, but it must be carried out in large units, with large capital investment. Domestic manufacturers generally use the hot cracking process of high molecular weight polyethylene. The raw materials used in this process can be polyethylene resin or polyethylene waste plastics. The products made by the former are of high grade, while those made by the latter are of low grade. High molecular weight polyethylene can be pyrolyzed into low molecular weight polyethylene wax under the condition of isolating air. The properties (such as crystallinity, density, hardness and melting point) related to the structure of polyethylene wax prepared in this way are affected by the cracking materials. Cracking processing methods are divided into cracking kettle method and extrusion method. Pyrolysis kettle method is a batch processing method, which is suitable for manufacturers with low production and small capacity; Extrusion method is continuous production, suitable for enterprises with large production capacity and high production capacity.

Polyethylene wax can be prepared from recycled polyethylene cracking liquid. This technology has abundant and cheap raw materials, simple process and low operation cost.

3. Polyethylene by-product purification

In the reaction of ethylene polymerization to produce polyethylene, polyethylene wax can be recovered from the mixture of low molecular weight components obtained by by-product and solvent. After the solvent and initiator are removed from the by-product of the polyethylene plant, the molecular weight distribution of the product is still very wide, which limits its application field, and requires further purification by solvent separation. This by-product polyethylene wax product usually contains molecules with a relative molecular weight of about 1000, so its mechanical strength, heat resistance and other physical properties are lower than those of polyethylene wax products produced by ethylene polymerization.

4. Modification of Polyethylene Wax

Polyethylene wax is a nonpolar molecule. If polar groups can be inserted into the molecule, the application field will be greatly expanded. These functionalized polyethylene waxes can be produced by copolymerization of ethylene and oxygenated monomers, or they can be introduced into carboxyl groups by chemical methods such as oxidation and grafting, and then further modified by chemical reactions such as esterification, amidation and saponification. These functionalized polyethylene waxes can meet the requirements of different applications.

Qingdao Sainuo Chemical Co.,Ltd. We are manufacturer for PE wax, PP wax, OPE wax, EVA wax, PEMA, EBS,Zinc/Calcium Stearate…. Our products have passed the REACH, ROHS, PAHS, FDA testing.

Sainuo rest assured wax, welcome your inquiry!

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