Amide waxes

Things to know about amide waxes

One normally distinguishes between primary and secondary types of amide waxes. Both types are semi-synthetic waxes, i.e. the fatty acid portion is of native origin and comes from either a vegetable or an animal source.

Secondary amide waxes are essentially the synthetically manufactured EBS = ethylene-bis-stearamides, frequently also known by the name EDS = ethylene distearmides. These secondary amide waxes are synthesised from ethylenediamine and stearic acid (usually based on animal fats, although a vegetable stearic acid is also possible upon request) in a nitrogen atmosphere, and are used as an effective and cheap process aid in many technical applications.

Our primary amide waxes, such as, among others, erucic acid amide, stearic acids amide, and oleamide are exclusively synthesised on the basis of vegetable fatty acids.

The primary and secondary amide waxes have in common that they possess good lubricating and sliding properties in many applications , act as flow improvers, or are used as dispersion additives, especially if the transparency and colour characteristics of the end product are to remain unaffected. Typical areas of application are the plastics and rubber industries, printing ink production, paint industry, powder metallurgy, adhesives and sealants, cosmetics, leather & textiles, paper and roadbuilding.