In a narrow sense, polyethylene wax is a low relative molecular weight homopolymer polyethylene; In a broad sense, polyethylene wax also includes modified polyethylene wax and copolymerized polyethylene wax.

Generally, if a polyethylene polymer cannot provide a certain strength and toughness like a resin, and cannot be processed as a single material into a product that ultimately has a certain function, we can classify it as polyethylene wax. 

In this article today, Qingdao Sainuo will take you to understand the classification of polyethylene waxes according to production methods.

Polyethylene waxes are divided into many types, including polymerization, thermal cracking, and by-products according to their sources. Polymerization polyethylene wax refers to polyethylene wax produced by polymerization of ethylene monomers, which can be divided into several categories according to different polymerization methods: free radical polymerization, Ziegler Nata polymerization, metallocene catalytic polymerization, and proprietary polymerization technologies.

The thermal cracking method refers to using PE resin as the raw material, using screw extrusion or a reactor for high-temperature cracking, to decompose polyethylene resin or recycled polyethylene plastic into polyethylene wax with low relative molecular weight.

Compared to polyethylene wax produced by polymerization, the relative molecular weight distribution is relatively wide, and the odor from low relative molecular weight is difficult to completely eliminate, and sometimes it is difficult to avoid the occurrence of black spots.

The by-product polyethylene wax comes from the by-product of the synthesis process of high-density polyethylene resin. It is an oligomer, usually a mixture of several oligomers with different degrees of polymerization, and its quality stability is difficult to control. If the distillation and splitting method is used, polyethylene wax can be divided into different melting ranges.

Polyethylene wax is widely used. It can be used as a dispersant for pigments in plastics, as a flow modifier and compatibilizer in PE and PP modifiers. It can also disperse pigments and fillers in color masterbatches, provide lubrication balance in PVC blends, provide mold release in engineering plastics, and provide interfacial compatibility in fillers or reinforcement modifiers.

Polyethylene waxes are classified according to production routes

1. Synthetic polyethylene wax

Polyethylene wax polymerized by high-pressure free radical polymerization has a number average relative molecular weight of 1000~6000, a relative molecular weight distribution of 2~5, and a Brookfield viscosity in the range of 100~3000 CPS, with a high degree of branching.

Generally, it is relatively soft and has a variety of products, belonging to low density polyethylene wax, represented by Honeywell's AC series and BASF Luwax.

Polyethylene wax polymerized using low pressure Ziegler Nata polymerization has a number average relative molecular weight in the range of several thousand, and a relative molecular weight distribution of 3-4. The viscosity of Brookfield at 140 ℃ ranges from several hundred to several thousand, with a high molecular regularity, typically high-density polyethylene, represented by Clariant Licowax.

Polyethylene wax catalyzed by metallocene has a number average relative molecular weight in the range of thousands, a relative molecular weight distribution of 1 to 3, and a Brookfield viscosity from tens to thousands, allowing for molecular regularity design;

Generally, it is high-density polyethylene with little catalyst residue, which is the latest method for polyethylene wax production, represented by Licocene from Clariant and Excerex from Mitsui.

2. Thermal cracking polyethylene wax

Polyethylene wax produced using polyethylene resin cracking technology is more domestically produced and is also popular in Thailand and South Korea. This wax typically has a Brookfield viscosity of several hundred to over a thousand, such as SCG from Thailand, Lion from South Korea, and Sainuo from China.

Compared to synthetic polyethylene wax, this type of polyethylene wax has a relatively wide molecular weight, a wide viscosity range, and a moderate temperature resistance. It is more popular in mid to low end applications, especially in polyolefin color masterbatches.

3. By product polyethylene wax

The by-product produced during the polymerization of high-density polyethylene has a wide melting point range and a viscosity below 0.1 Pa · s. It is usually necessary to cut products into different melting point ranges before use. The main suppliers are major petrochemical plants.

For more details, please consult us!

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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