About PE WAX (Polyethylene Wax) / Low Polymer

 

Hello!

In this article, I would like to talk about PE WAX (Polyethylene Wax), which could be considered a new “genre,” so to speak.

PE stands for polyethylene, and wax refers to a solid substance with lubricating and waterproof properties. Therefore, PE WAX refers to wax based on polyethylene. It is mainly used in the plastics, coatings, and rubber industries.

PE WAX is also referred to as Low Polymer.

Now, let me explain more about PE WAX.

PE WAX (Polyethylene Wax) is a solid wax based on polyethylene (PE).

It is mainly produced at high temperatures and possesses excellent lubricating properties, heat resistance, and chemical resistance, making it useful in various industries. In particular, it helps enhance durability and reduce friction.

It is also used as a surface treatment agent or modifier.

PE WAX has the advantages of low chemical reactivity and outstanding stability.

PE WAX

Main Characteristics and Uses of PE WAX

*Characteristics

1.Good Dispersibility

-Mixes well with pigments and additives, improving product quality.

2.High Thermal Stability

-Can be used stably even at high temperatures.

3.Excellent Lubricity

-Reduces friction during processing and helps increase processing speed.

4.Chemical Resistance

-Excellent resistance to acids, bases, and other chemicals.

5.Low Molecular Weight

-Lower molecular weight compared to general polyethylene, making it suitable for specific applications.

**Main Uses

1. Plastic Processing
-Used as a lubricant and processing aid for polymers.

2. Inks and Coatings
-Enhances gloss and improves wear resistance.

3. Rubber Industry
-Utilized as a processing aid and to improve wear resistance.

4. Adhesives
-Used as a viscosity modifier in hot-melt adhesives.

5. PVC Industry
-Essential as a thermal stabilizer and lubricant during PVC processing.

PE WAX Production Process

PE WAX (Polyethylene Wax) is mainly obtained as a byproduct during the production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or artificially manufactured by chemically modifying polyethylene. The specific production methods are as follows:

1. Obtaining as a Byproduct of Polyethylene Polymerization

-Process: PE WAX is a low molecular weight byproduct generated during the polymerization of polyethylene (HDPE or LDPE) under high temperature and high pressure.

-Characteristics: PE WAX obtained this way naturally has a low molecular weight and specific physical properties.

-Advantage: Cost-effective and suitable for mass production.

2. Thermal Cracking Process

-Process: High molecular weight polyethylene (PE) is thermally cracked at high temperatures to shorten the polymer chains.

-Characteristics: Allows control of molecular weight to produce waxes meeting various requirements.

-Advantage: Produces PE WAX with uniform quality and specific physical properties.

3. Oxidized Polyethylene Wax

-Process: PE WAX is chemically oxidized by adding oxygen.

-Characteristics: Oxidized PE WAX has polar properties, making it suitable for hydrophilic applications or coatings.

-Advantage: High compatibility with water, advantageous in certain industries.

4. Polymerization Synthesis

-Process: Ethylene gas is directly polymerized under specific conditions to produce low molecular weight polyethylene.

-Characteristics: Produces highly pure PE WAX.

-Disadvantage: Relatively high production cost.

5. Recycling Process

-Process: Waste polyethylene (plastic waste) is collected and chemically treated to produce wax.

-Characteristics: A sustainable production method.

-Disadvantage: Quality may be inconsistent.

*PE WAX Supply Chain

-PE WAX is mainly produced in chemical plants or refineries and can be purchased from large chemical companies or regional small and medium-sized chemical manufacturers.

Most Commonly Used Process: 1. Recovery as a Byproduct of Polymerization

1. Efficiency: Since it is generated as a byproduct during the polyethylene production process, no separate complex process is required, reducing costs.

2. Mass Production Capability: With the high global production of HDPE and LDPE, the supply of PE WAX is stable.

3. Characteristics:

-PE WAX obtained as a polymerization byproduct naturally has a low molecular weight and can be used in various industrial applications.

-Additional treatments (e.g., heat treatment, refining) may be applied during production to consistently control molecular weight and properties.

*The most common and cost-effective method of producing PE WAX is by recovering it as a byproduct from polyethylene polymerization. This is one of the main reasons why PE WAX is widely used and competitively priced.

Physical Form of PE WAX

PE WAX (Polyethylene Wax) has a relatively simple appearance, but there are slight differences depending on the processing method and product form. The common forms of PE WAX are described below.

Physical Form

1.Powder

-Characteristics: Fine powder form, mainly used in applications requiring high dispersibility.

-Color: White or light ivory.

-Texture: Smooth and soft.

PE WAX Powder

2. Flake

-Characteristics: Thin, small pieces, suitable for processing or melting solid wax.

-Color: Ranges from white to translucent.

-Size: Thin pieces ranging from a few millimeters to about 1 cm.

PE WAX Flake

3. Pellet

-Characteristics: Round granule form, easy to transport and handle, suitable for large-scale processing.

-Color: White, translucent, or light yellow.

-Size: Small, rice-grain-sized particles.

PE WAX Pellet

4. Block

-Characteristics: Solid mass form, mainly supplied in bulk for industrial use.

-Color: Translucent or white.

PE WAX Block

Color

-Mostly white or translucent, and sometimes slightly light yellow, depending on the production process or additives.

Texture

-In solid form, it is hard and slippery; in powder form, it has a fine, powdery texture.

-Melting point is relatively low (90–120°C), so it easily turns into a liquid when heated.

The Form of PE WAX is Selected According to Its Application

1. Powder: Added to coatings, inks, and paints.

2. Flake: Used as a processing aid in plastics.

3. Pellet: Used in hot-melt adhesives or large-scale plastic production. 

4. Block: Used in bulk as an industrial raw material.

Applications of PE WAX

1. Plastic Processing

-Application: Lubricant and processing aid.

-Method: Used as an internal or external lubricant during the molding of plastics such as PVC, PP, and PE to reduce friction and improve processing efficiency.

-Provides thermal stability and helps release from molds easily.

-Applied Products: Pipes, films, cable coatings, etc.

Film

2. Masterbatch and Compound

-Application: Dispersing agent

-Method: Used to uniformly disperse pigments, fillers, and additives in polymer matrices. Essential for producing high-concentration masterbatches such as Carbon Black and TiO₂.

-Effect: Improves color uniformity and processing performance.

Black Masterbatch

Tio2 

Carbon Black

3. Coatings and Paints

-Application: Surface modifier and wear resistance enhancer

-Method: Wax is added to increase gloss and improve scratch and abrasion resistance. Applicable to both water-based and solvent-based coatings, especially suitable for high-end automotive and furniture coatings.

-Effect: Enhances surface smoothness, water repellency, and stain resistance.

Paint

4. Rubber Industry

-Application: Processing aid and preservative

-Method: Added to rubber compounds to improve processability and facilitate easy release from molds. Oxidized PE WAX is also used as a preservative to enhance weather resistance of rubber surfaces.

-Applied Products: Tires, rubber gaskets, industrial rubber products.

Car tire

Rubber gasket

5. Ink Industry

-Application: Enhances friction resistance and wear resistance

-Method: Added to inks to prevent abrasion on printed surfaces and improve water resistance. Typically added in powder form to provide smoothness and gloss.

-Applied Products: Packaging inks, magazine printing inks.

Black Ink

6. Textile and Paper Industry

-Application: Water repellent and softening agent

-Method: Provides water and oil resistance in paper coating processes. Enhances softness and durability in textile finishing processes.

-Applied Products: Paper cups, packaging paper, specialty textiles.

Paper cup

Reasons Why PE WAX is Preferred

1. Increases processing efficiency due to low viscosity and excellent lubricity

2. Can be used in various environments thanks to chemical stability and heat resistance

3. Cost-effective and sustainable

*For any inquiries about Talc Masterbatch products, please leave a comment or contact us via the email provided in the description, and we will respond promptly.

http://khanpolymer.com/

wsk0306@naver.com

THANK YOU !