WAXES

A generally accepted definition of the term wax does not exist, primarily because of the large number of products with wax-like properties and the chemical complexity of individual wax types.

class of chemical compounds that are plastic (malleable) near ambient temperatures melt above 45 C organic compounds (synthetic and naturally occurring) insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents

General Types of Wax

Types of Waxes
Mineral Waxes (85%) Synthetic Waxes (12%) Vegetable and Animal Waxes

Example
Ozocerite, Paraffin Polyolefin, Fischer-Trophsch Beeswax, Candelilla, Carnauba, Spermaceti

World Consumption of Wax

Common Waxes
Product Petroleum -- Paraffin Source Crude Oil Melt Pt/Pen 25C 46-68/10-20 54-102/3-100 45-106/1-41 85-140/3 80/10 Main Uses Various Various Various Various Carbon paper ink

Petroleum -- microcrystalline Crude Oil Fischer-Tropsch waxes Polyethylene Montan Waxes from insects, plants and animals Synthesis Synthesis Lignite

Bees, soy, palm trees, plants, beef fat, etc.

40-84/2-63

Inks, Polishes

Uses of Wax

Paper coatings Candles Textile and leather products Polishes Adhesives Fruit and vegetable coatings

Cosmetics Medicinal purposes Inks Lubricants Rubber compounding Plastic compounding

MINERAL WAXES

Wax - Sweating Process

Synthetic Waxes

FISCHER TROPSCH Process

RENTECH Process

Process based on the Fischer-Tropsch chemistry More efficient and cleaner Purer products due to advancement in Technology

Wax Plate Molding

Animal and Vegetable Waxes

Processing of Candelilla Wax

BEESWAX

1. Gathering of Wax from Beehive 2. Rendering (the process of melting combs and cappings and removing refuse from the wax) before further use 3. Clarifying of the wax