Polyethylene wax, Thickness : 0.5 mm

There are two major manufacturing processes for Polyethylene Wax namely, High Pressure Polymerisation and Low Pressure Polymerisation. Low Pressure Polymerisation is a controlled thermal degradation of high molecular weight Polyethylene. In the high-pressure reaction, Polyethylene Wax is prepared from either Polyethylene or Ethylene. Batch processing technology is employed for making PE wax in the degradation technique. This is because it is based on the Thermal Cracking Method and is cost effective as opposed to the Continuous Process Technology. In this degradation technique, by-products such as wax gel and wax emulsion are also obtained. The Technology for manufacturing Polyethylene Wax using either of the two processes as mentioned above was developed by an American Company which used Scrap HDPE and LDPE as the Raw Material. 

Usage

PE Wax is mainly used as Slip Agents, Dispersants, Resin Modifiers, and Mould Release Agents. It is added to coatings and to ink to resist adhesion, scratches, and to increase smoothness. They are also used in Masterbaches for Wetting and Dispersion of Pigments. The processing of plastics of different kinds also requires PE Wax for Internal or External Lubricants. For wood-plastic composites, PE Wax is used in adhesion promotion. Some cosmetic applications also use PE Wax. Other uses include Surface Modification for Aqueous and Solvent based Coating Systems and Water or Solvent based wax dispersions.