Few people know that in many industries, a compound such as polyethylene wax is used. Perhaps some are even surprised by its name. However, the substance exists and is synthetic, and the method for its preparation is the Fischer-Tropsch method with the participation of gas synthesis.
General description of the substance
The main use of polyethylene wax is an additive that serves to increase the frame of candles. In addition, it is used to improve the quality of model compositions that can be used during color casting and in the manufacture of figures from wax.
There are some of the most common materials that belong to this group. These include paraffin, alloy AF-1, wax ZV-1, paralight 17, wax 3zV-1, parazon 11, swoz-60.
There is a wax that is obtained by processing pure ethylene. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it does not have any functional groups, but is used only as an external lubricant.
There is oxidized polyethylene wax, which is different in that it contains a different amount of acid groups. Because of this factor, it is simple enough to achieve emulsification. As for its properties, it has all the qualities of both external and internal lubrication.
Basic properties
The physical and chemical characteristics of polyethylene wax may vary depending on what type it belongs to. Most often, this substance is presented in the form of flakes, granules or powder. In this form, its bulk density is 0.9 g / cm 3 , the melting temperature reaches 107 degrees Celsius, and the melt viscosity is 350 ± 50.
The advantage of polyethylene wax is that it exhibits excellent lubricating properties during extrusion. By using the synthetic method, both oxidized and non-oxidized compounds can be obtained.
If we talk about the structure, then the wax usually has a yellow or white hue, and is made in the form of fine flakes with a number of constant characteristics. To obtain it, they resort to a method for polymerizing polyethylene.
Parameters of wax types
The oxidized synthetic substance is distinguished by several characteristics. Its color is almost white, melting point 99-108, and solidification - 94-100 degrees Celsius. Moreover, in the cold state, its hardness is in the range of 350-400 bar, and the density is 0.96 g / cm 3 .
The unoxidized synthetic group of this substance is white. Its melting point is slightly higher and amounts to 101-109 degrees Celsius, but the pour point remains the same. Cold, non-oxidized wax is also characterized by lower hardness, only 150-300 bar. The density decreased, but not by much, and amounts to 0.93 g / cm 3 .
It makes sense to consider the characteristics of polyethylene wax PV-200, since it is quite common. The melt viscosity of this synthetic compound at a temperature of at least 140 degrees Celsius reaches from 180 to 300. When dropping, the indicator is at least 103 0 C, and the mass fraction of ash in the mixture does not exceed 0.02%. This raw material is produced in the form of spherical particles with a very small diameter.
The use of oxidized and non-oxidized PV in industry
As for the use of non-oxidized synthetic substance, it is great for the following purposes:
- used in electronic devices;
- well proven in paper insulation, as well as when used with polishing compounds;
- included in a mixture of technical creams used in everyday life;
- serves as an excellent component in the manufacture of model wax compositions;
- production of printing inks, as well as pigmenting superconcentrates is not complete without the use of unoxidized polyethylene wax PV.
This is not a complete list of areas in which the unoxidized composition of a synthetic substance is successfully used.
If we talk about the scope of oxidized raw materials, then it is much less.
- in demand in the food industry because of its glazing properties;
- often used as a catalyst when plasticization of composites and PVC is required;
- can be used as a coating, which will have good water-repellent properties;
- actively used as an external lubricant;
- the last vector of application is the manufacture of products based on polyvinyl chloride.
Who is manufacturing synthetic raw materials?
Today, the production of polyethylene wax is quite well developed in Belarus, where the company Naftan OJSC is engaged in it. In addition, there is another foreign supplier - the American office of Micro Powders, Inc.
It is worth noting that this substance is a polymer that is most widely distributed both in everyday life and in industry. The main problem of this material is its processing, since it is very difficult to decompose. In order to subject the raw materials to a secondary technological process and prepare them for domestic use, it is necessary to carry out preliminary work. For this, either a mechanical or physicochemical method is used.
Treatment
Since this material is synthetic, it needs preliminary cleaning. Today it is carried out using separation. As for the physico-chemical method of preparation for processing, it is quite complicated in terms of implementation. But if it is still carried out, then as a result it will be possible to obtain very high-quality secondary-type raw materials. Now you know what wax synthetic material is.