Waxes
have been aiding mankind for tens of thousands of years. They are polymeric
materials with molecular weights lying between oils and plastics. The physical
nature of a wax can range from a stiff paste e.g. bees wax, through to hard
and brittle, such as a carnauba or microcrystalline wax.
Whilst the physical/chemical properties of the various waxes will be influenced by their composition, molecular weight and amount of cross-linking within the polymer. Melting points for Natural waxes will be under 100°C whilst those of polypropylene based waxes can easily exceed 130°C.
Aqueous wax dispersions (often termed emulsions) are low toxicity, user friendly products, offering a wide range of properties which can be "tailored" to suit many applications. They are miscible with a wide range of aqueous systems such as polymer (latex) and alkali soluble resins: also glycol, glycol ethers etc. Emulsions can also be varied in terms of the emulsifier system, pH, choice of acid/alkali, concentration or viscosity etc. The dry films may offer slip or non-slip, gloss, sheen, anti-block, waterproofing, re-dispersion (removability) and a host of many other properties.
By careful choice, wax dispersions offer the formulation chemist a wide range of properties, whether they are used as major components, or as performance modifiers in high quality systems. Typical applications include: Polishes, Textile Softeners, Thread Lubricants, Paper Coating, Food Coating and many more.
PennWhite Ltd manufacture a wide range of
wax emulsions based on both natural and synthetic waxes they are also able
to "tailor" formulations according to a customers requirements.