Polyolefin Wax"VISCOL", "SANWAX"

Sanyo Chemical's Polyolefin Wax
 "VISCOL", "SANWAX" Performs Great in these Areas.

We were the first company in Japan to succeed in the industrialization of synthetic waxes. We manufacture and sell  low molecular weight polypropylene ("VISCOL") and  low molecular weight polyethylene ("SANWAX").

"VISCOL" and "SANWAX" have a wide molecular weight distribution unique to thermal decomposed polyolefin waxes and exhibit the following characteristics.

  • Excellent pigment dispersion
  • High softening point, high crystallinity
  • Low viscosity, enabling improved flowability of resins and hot melt adhesives
  • Low polarity and improved mold release
  • Also compatible with resins other than polyolefins such as PC, ABS, PBT, etc.

"VISCOL" and "SANWAX" are Low Molecular Weight Polyolefins Obtained by Thermal Decomposition of Polyolefins.


Polyolefin Waxes "VISCOL" and "SANWAX" are
  Used for the following Reasons

    Pigment Dispersants

  • Excellent pigment dispersibility and can enable production of high concentration masterbatches
  • Moderate molecular weight has little effect on the mechanical properties of the resin
  • Excellent compatibility with target resin
  • Non-polar, does not interfere with pigment coloration, good color stability

    Processability Improver for Plastics

  • Low viscosity improves resin flowability
  • Low polarity improves mold release properties of molded products
  • Smoothness can be added to PVC
  • Effective when added in small quantities and does not degrade the mechanical properties of the resin

Modifier for Paints and Printing Inks

  • Wax particles form unevenness on the surface of the paint film, diffusing light and giving a matte finish.
  • Prevents sedimentation of silica and other matting agents when used in combination, providing an even matting effect.
  • Provides water resistance, mold resistance, and stain resistance to paint surfaces.
  • Adhesion of paints and inks to hydrophobic substrates such as OPP film.

Additive for Hot Melt Adhesives

  • Maintains adhesive strength at high temperatures
  • Improved handling by adjusting adhesive viscosity


 Features of Thermal Decomposed Polyolefin Wax "VISCOL" and "SANWAX" Products

  1. Good compatibility with polyolefin resins.
  2. Has the same softening point and hardness as polyolefin resins (higher softening point and higher crystallinity than natural waxes)
  3. It has a melt viscosity similar to natural waxes such as mineral and petroleum-based waxes.
  4. This is a pyrolyzed(thermally decomposed) polyolefin wax, resulting in a wide molecular weight distribution.
  5. Compatible with resins other than polyolefins (PC, PBT, ABS, etc.)
  6. The industrial process of polyolefin thermal decomposition is more suitable for small-lot production than the polymerization-type industrial process and can be finely tailored to various needs.

Comparison of Softening Points of Various Waxes

Comparison of Softening Points of Various Synthetic Waxes

Manufacturing method Thermally decomposed polyolefin wax (our product) Polymerization type
(high pressure) 
Polymerization type (low pressure)
Molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn

wide

narrow narrow
Spatial structure Contains long-chain branching Contains short-chain branching
(usually methyl group) 
Contains long-chain branching

Sanyo Chemical's Main Lineup of Polyolefin Waxes

Main Lineup of Polypropylene Wax "VISCOL" Products 

VISCOL
330‐P
VISCOL
440-P
VISCOL
550-P
VISCOL
660-P

VISCOL
LM-500
(Development product)

VISCOL
LM-600
(Development product)
Features High molecular weight Medium to high molecular weight low molecular weight low molecular weight High molecular weight
Low melting point
Low molecular weight
Low melting point
Appearance White powder White powder White powder White powder Light yellow powder Light yellow powder
APHA color scale 200 200 200 1 1 1
Melting point (°C) 145 144 139 136 125 119
Melt viscosity (mPa-s) 4000 1800 200 70 1400 100
Molecular weight (Mw) 40000 27000 13000 10000 30000 9000
Main applications Pigment dispersants, filler dispersants, melt-flow improvers
Test procedure 

Color number: Hazen method (*Gardner method), Melting point: DSC method, Melt viscosity: 160°C (*140°C), Molecular weight: High temperature GPC method

Main Lineup of Polyethylene Wax "SANWAX"

SANWAX
161‐P
SANWAX
131-P
SANWAX
151-P
SANWAX
171-P
Features High molecular weight Medium to high molecular weight Low molecular weight Low molecular weight
Appearance White powder White powder White powder White powder
APHAcolor scale 30 30 30 30
Melting point (°C) 103 102 101 100
Melt viscosity
(mPa-s)
4300 1000 290 180
Molecular weight (Mw) 27000 20000 13000 10000
Main applications Pigment dispersants, filler dispersants, melt-flow improvers
Test procedure

Color number: Hazen method, Melting point: DSC method, Melt viscosity: 140°C, Molecular weight: High temperature GPC method

Data on the Effect of Adding Olefin Wax in Each Application

"VISCOL" (PP Wax), "SANWAX" (PE Wax) by Function and Target Resins

Dispersion (mainly pigments) Mold release Viscosity adjustment Lubrication
Target resins

Common
SANWAX
VISCOL
PE
PP
EPDM PE
PP
ABS
PBT
PVC
PPS
PC

PS
Mechanism

Polyolefin waxes penetrate between pigments and resins to create dispersion.

Mold-releasing properties develop due to easy migration of polyolefin wax to the surface. Adding low molecular weight materials improves flowability during molding. Polyolefin waxes are less compatible with the above resins and tend to migrate to the surface, thus acting as an external lubricant.

Application Example 1:  Molding Lubricant (PVC Resin) "VISCOL" 

Addition of polyolefin wax reduces resistance (torque) when PVC and stearate are melt-blended.

Test conditions

PVC : 100wt%, Stearic acid Calcium stearate: 2.5wt%, Zinc stearate: 1.0wt% , Dioctyl tin Malate polymer: 0.5wt%, Lubricant: 0.3-1.0wt Melt-kneaded using a lab-plast mill (temperature of mixer: 180°C) Mixer temperature: 180, 190, 200°C (mixer temperature: 180, 190, 200°C, screw speed: 50 rpm). 

Application Example 2:  Melt-flow Improver (PBT Resin) "SANWAX"

  • The addition of polyolefin wax improves the melt-flow of PBT resin.
  • Melt-flow inprovement is achieved with a low additive amount, which minimizes reduction in resin chemical properties 
Specimen preparation conditions

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin pre-dried at 130°C for 3 hours and "SANWAX 161-P" (0.5 wt%) were mixed in a twin-screw extruder (250°C) and injection molded (molding temperature: 250°C, mold temperature: 50°C) to produce test specimens.

Test conditions

Shear viscosity: Capillary rheometer method (240°C, 608/sec) Tensile test: ASTM D638, Flexural test: ASTM D790.

Application Example 3:  Flow Improver (Long Glass Fiber/PP Composite) "VISCOL" 

Without VISCOL VISCOL
developmental product
(1wt% added) 
VISCOL
developmental product
(2wt% added)
Spiral flow length (mm) 1250 1390 1430
Surface smoothness (Ra value)(μm)

The smaller the Ra value, the smoother the surface.
7.1 5.0 4.8
Tensile strength (MPa) 118 116 112
Bending strength (MPa) 171 168 167
Specimen preparation conditions

Long glass fiber/PP resin pellets (glass fiber content: 30 wt%) were dry-blended with "VISCOL" and injection molded (molding temperature: 250°C, mold temperature: 50°C) to prepare test specimens for tensile and flexural tests.

Test conditions 

Spiral flow length: Long glass fiber/PP resin pellets (glass fiber content: 30 wt%) were dry-blended with "VISCOL", injected into a spiral flow mold (Archimedes spiral), and the flow length was measured. (molding temperature: 230°C, mold temperature: 50°C, injection pressure: 30 kgf/cm2, mold flow channel width: 6 mm, channel thickness: 3 mm), Surface smoothness: Ra value was measured using a laser microscope. Tensile test: ASTM D638, Bend test: ASTM D790. 

Related Information

Related Products

Technology and Application Topics

  • Additive for resin

Resin Molding Basics

  • Additive for resin

Wax Basics


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