Wax Basics

Definition and Classification of Wax

Wax is a generic term for a wax-like substance, which is defined as "(1) solid or semi-solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 40°C or higher, and (2) melting without decomposition when heated and of low viscosity.

Waxes are composed of various raw materials and can be broadly classified into natural waxes, semi-synthetic waxes, and synthetic waxes. 

Features and Classification of Synthetic Waxes

Waxes have a wide range of applications and are used as raw materials or additives for many industrial products and daily necessities such as cosmetics, printing inks, tires, flooring, and adhesives.

Synthetic waxes are widely used as industrial raw materials for paints, inks, adhesives, etc., because they are relatively easy to control in terms of composition, melt viscosity, and other properties, and can meet a wide variety of needs. 

Synthetic waxes can be classified into a polymerization type or  pyrolysis type based on the manufacturing method. Polymerization type includes monopolymerization of ethylene monomers and modified low molecular weight polyethylene copolymerized with ethylene and other polar monomers. The pyrolysis type is a low molecular weight product made by radical decomposition of high molecular weight polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin. 

Characteristics of Synthetic Waxes

Structural Characteristics of Polymerized and Pyrolytic Waxes

Manufacturing method  Pyrolysis type
(our product)
Polymerization type
(high pressure)
Polymerization type
(low pressure) 
Molecular weight distribution
Mw/Mn
Broad Narrow Broad
Spatial structure Contains long-chain branching Contains short-chain branching
 (usually methyl group)
Contains long-chain branching

Our Main Lineup of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Waxes

 We manufacture and sell the low molecular weight polyethylene "SANWAX" series, which was the first synthetic wax to be successfully industrialized in Japan, and the low molecular weight polypropylene "VISCOL" series, to which we applied this technology.

Features of the SANWAX and VISCOL 

  1. High softening point and high crystallinity compared to natural waxes.
  2. Excellent compatibility with polyolefin resins.
  3. Wide molecular weight distribution due to the thermal decomposition process.
  4. Easily compatible with resins other than polyolefins.

The industrial process of pyrolysis is also more suitable for small-lot production in comparison to  polymerization-type industrial process, and can be finely tailored to various needs.

Main Lineup of Polyethylene Wax "SANWAX" Products

SANWAX
161‐P
SANWAX
131-P
SANWAX
151-P
SANWAX
171-P
Features High molecular weight Medium to high
molecular weight
Small to low
molecular weight
Low molecular weight
Appearance White powder White powder White powder White powder
APHA color 30 30 30 30
Melting point
(℃)
103 102 101 100
Melt viscosity
(mPa・s)
4300 1000 290 180
Molecular weigh
(Mw)
27000 20000 13000 10000
Main applications Pigment dispersants, filler dispersants, flow improvers

Test Method
APHA color : Hasen method, Melting point: DSC method, Melt viscosity: 140°C, Molecular weight: High temperature GPC method

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
Small to low
molecular weight
Low
molecular weight
  • High molecular weight
  • Low melting point
  • High molecular weight
  • Low melting point
Appearance White powder White powder White powder White powder Light yellow powder Light yellow powder
APHA color 200 200 200 1 1 1
Melting point(℃) 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 application Pigment dispersants, filler dispersants, flow improvers

Test Method
Color number: Hazen method (*Gardner method), melting point: DSC method, melt viscosity: 160°C (*140°C), molecular weight: high temperature GPC method