Wax-synthetic

Things to know about synthetic waxes

Waxes are not clearly defined substances in the chemical sense, but are instead actually defined as materials characterised by their physical properties. According to the definition, a substance is a wax if it is kneadable at 20 °C, firm to brittle and hard, has a coarse to fine crystalline structure, translucent with colouring to opaque but not glassy, melts above 40 °C without decomposition, is slightly liquid a little above the melting point, has a strongly temperature-dependent consistency and solubility and can be used as polish with slight pressure. Waxes are almost insoluble in water, but soluble in organic, unpolar media.

Waxes are frequently distinguished on the basis of their origin and manufacturing process.

Synthetic waxes are mainly obtained from petroleum, normally with the use of the Ziegler Natter or the Fischer Tropsch method for manufacture. Typical examples are the PE (also oxidised), PP (higher dripping points than the PE waxes) and also the FT waxes with relatively high decomposition temperatures of above 280°C.