Wax Types and Properties

Wax is a generic term that encompasses materials that have some specific properties such as:

Solid at 20°C, varying from soft / plastic to brittle / hard
A mp > 40°C without decomposing
A relatively low viscosity slightly above the melting point
Transparency to opaque, but not glass-like
Buffable under slight pressure

This includes:

Natural products based on C16 - C 36 Fatty Acids or
Some synthetic polymers with Mw from 700 to 10.000

Waxes are often classified according to their origin as illustrated in Table below:

Naturally Occuring Waxes			Synthetic Waxes
Animal	Vegetable	Mineral	Synthetic Waxes
Beeswax	Carnauba	Montan	PP, PE & PTFE
Lanolin	Candellila	Paraffin	Fischer-Tropsch
Lanocerin	Jojoba	Microcrytalline	Fatty Acid Amine
Shellac	Ouricourl	Intermediate	PTFE
Ozokerite			Polyamide
PP = polypropylene PE = polyethylene HDPE = High Density Polyethylene PTFE = Polytetrafluoroethylene
Table 1: Wax Classification

Table 2 summarises the main wax properties and corresponding effects imparted or improved in paint, coating and ink formulations.

Type	Properties	Main Performances
Carnauba	High melting naturally occuring wax Different grades (T1, T2, T3) Hard & brittles Excellent clarity Generally Recognised As Save	Slip & Lubricity Anti-Blocking Mar Resistance
Paraffin	Various grades, hence properties depending on refinement degree Hard to oily feeling Mainly composed of straight alkane chains, hence some parafffin's have good crystalline structure, giving excellent barrier effects against water repellency Very low polarity	Anti-Blocking Water Repellency Slip & Lubricity
PE	Obtained by polymerization of Ethylene monomers Various grades, hence properties depending on Mw and polymerisation process Two main families: LDPE and HDPE (Low and High Density PE) whose difference is the extend and type of branching LDPE's display more thoughness, better scuff / mar resistance and are more flexible HDPE's contribute to better slip properties and abrasion resistance	Slip Abrasion Resistance Anti-Blocking
PP	Obtained by polymerization of propylene monomers Good film toughness but poor slip & lubricity properties Not really a wax but often classify as such because of impact to surface properties	Anti-Slip Anti-Blocking Abrasion Resistance
PTFE	Obtained by polymerization of C2F4 monomers High melting point and outstanding heat resistance properties (up to 600°F) Give the lowest known CoF, hence excellent slip & lubricity, anti-blocking and abrasion resistance Chemically inert Not really a wax but often classify as such because of impact to surface properties	Slip & Lubricity Anti-Blocking Abrasion Resistance
Table 2: Wax Properties and Performances

Wax can easily be incorporated into liquid formulations in an emulsion or dispersion form (see Wax Emulsions & Dispersions)