What is maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene wax

Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene wax (MAPE wax) is a functional additive commonly used in various industries, including plastics, coatings, and composite materials. It is produced through the grafting of maleic anhydride onto the polyethylene wax backbone, resulting in a product with unique properties and applications.

The maleic anhydride contained in the maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene wax can react with the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the wood fiber to make it adsorb on the surface of the fiber. As a good coupling agent, wood fiber forms a solvation process with each other, and the coupling ability is significantly improved. It also has a significant effect on improving the interface compatibility between wood fiber and polyethylene resin. The lubrication efficiency is high and the extrusion rate can be increased. 

Key properties and characteristics of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene wax

• Reactive Functionality: The presence of maleic anhydride moieties in the polyethylene wax provides reactive sites that can form chemical bonds with polar substrates, such as cellulose, wood fibers, and other natural fillers, leading to improved adhesion and compatibility.

• Lubricating and Processing Aid: MAPE wax acts as a lubricant and processing aid in polymer processing, especially in systems involving polyolefins. It helps reduce friction, improve flow properties, and enhance dispersion of fillers and additives during compounding and extrusion processes.

• Coupling Agent: maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene is widely used as a coupling agent in wood-plastic composites (WPCs) and other composite materials. It enhances the interfacial adhesion between hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic fillers, leading to improved mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the composites.

• Modification of Surface Properties: MAPE wax can modify the surface properties of materials, leading to improvements in surface smoothness, gloss, and color retention. This is beneficial in various applications, including coatings and printing inks.

• Moisture Resistance: The incorporation of MAPE wax can reduce moisture absorption in composite materials, leading to improved resistance to water, swelling, and decay.

• Property Enhancement: maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene can contribute to improving the mechanical properties, impact resistance, and thermal stability of polymer-based materials, leading to enhanced overall performance and durability.

Advantage of MAPE wax in wood-plastic composite systems

Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene wax (MAPE wax) is commonly used as a coupling agent and processing aid in wood-plastic composite (WPC) systems. Its application in WPCs offers several advantages and benefits:

1. Enhanced Compatibility: MAPE wax can improve the compatibility between the hydrophobic polyethylene matrix and the hydrophilic wood fibers or other natural fillers in WPCs. This enhanced compatibility leads to better dispersion of the fillers within the polymer matrix, resulting in improved mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the composite material.

2. Adhesion Promotion: The maleic anhydride functionality in the maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene facilitates adhesion between the polymer matrix and the wood fibers by forming chemical bonds or interfacial interactions. This promotes the adhesion at the interface, leading to improved overall performance and durability of the WPC material.

3. Reduced Moisture Absorption: Incorporating maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene in WPC formulations can reduce the moisture absorption of the composite material, thereby enhancing its resistance to water and moisture-related degradation, such as swelling, warping, and decay.

4. Improved Processing: MAPE wax acts as a lubricant and processing aid during the compounding and extrusion processes of WPC production. It helps to reduce friction, improve flow properties, and enhance dispersion of the wood fibers or fillers, leading to more efficient processing and better surface finish of the final WPC products.

5. Property Enhancement: The addition of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene wax can positively impact the mechanical properties, such as flexural strength, impact resistance, and thermal stability of the WPC material, leading to improved overall performance and service life.

7. Surface Modification: MAPE wax can contribute to modifying the surface properties of the WPC material, leading to improvements in surface smoothness, gloss, and color retention.

In summary

The application of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene wax in wood-plastic composite systems offers benefits such as enhanced compatibility, adhesion promotion, reduced moisture absorption, improved processing, property enhancement, and surface modification, making it a valuable additive for optimizing the performance and quality of WPC materials.

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.

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