Wax Encyclopedia

  Wax is a general term for a range of natural or synthetic products.

 “Wax” is first and foremost an organic substance found in nature and used for lighting (candles), as opposed to “oil”. The former is solid at room temperature and quickly becomes liquid when heated; the latter is liquid at room temperature. There is also an intermediate state of “fat”. The earliest waxes came from plants and animals. Candles were used for religious, ceremonial and decorative purposes. Later a variety of waxes were developed in both directions, with the concept of physical extension predominating:

1. Physical extension: Substances with physical properties similar to those of existing waxes are also called waxes. For example, n-alkanes with more than 18 carbon atoms extracted from petroleum are solid at room temperature and quickly become liquid when heated, and are called “paraffin waxes”;

2. Chemical extension: Substances with a similar chemical structure to existing waxes are also called waxes. For example, n-alkanes with only 10 or 13 carbon atoms are called “liquid paraffins” because they are n-alkanes, although they are also liquids at room temperature.

In addition to illumination, other properties of waxes have been applied one after another and have become a large group of very important substances.

For convenience, the range can be subdivided into:

 natural wax
 synthetic wax
 mineral wax
 Petroleum wax, abbreviated as paraffin wax
 Each wax is defined in terms of a number of properties such as hardness, melting point, viscosity, color and many others. These properties determine the main potential uses of the product.
In general, waxes have the following properties:
Solid at 20 °C, ranging from soft and elastic to brittle and hard;
Generally melts at slightly above 40°C, but does not decompose
Combustible, can be used as a fuel
Low thermal and electrical conductivity
Strong hydrophobicity

Detailed nature:

Application AreasType of waxEcologyFunctions and roles
Craftsmanshipfinal product
Adhesives, hot melt adhesivesParaffin wax or compoundSolid/LiquidAdjustment of viscosity and flow timeRapid solidification
Agriculture (pesticides, plant protection)Paraffin or white oilemulsionsAnti-coagulant and graft protection for controlling pesticide releasedelaying the release of chemical protectants.Anti-microbial in grafting
automobile industryparaffin wax blendEmulsions and solidsSurface protection of metal and painted surfaces; corrosion protection of internal cavities
candlesparaffinicSolids and liquidsForming and demoldingControllable fuel
carbon papernatural waxemulsionsDispersants and binding agentsPhotocopies are clear
heavy cardboardParaffin wax or compoundsolidImproved MVT performance and bonding of substratesCoating, impregnation, surface varnishing and lamination
Ceramics and metals (powder)paraffinicemulsionsSintered bondingImproved surfaces and reduced scrap
cheeseParaffin and natural waxesemulsionsCapsules; moisture controlCoating, Surface Protection
chewing gumsparaffinicsolidAdditives for rubber dispersion and colloidsChewable properties of colloids
Citrus (and other) fruitsparaffinicEmulsion solidsSurface and emulsion treatmentProtective coatings
cosmetic productsParaffin and natural waxesemulsionsBonding, Adjusting ConsistencyComponents of ointments, pastes, creams, lipsticks, etc.
Electrical and electronic applicationsparaffin wax blendSolid:hot solRelease agent; surface protection for etching processesisolate
demolish (using explosives)paraffinicEmulsions and solidsProcess aidsExplosive passivator
metal processingparaffinicemulsionsoilyantiseptic
Paints and coatingsParaffin and natural waxesemulsionsAdjustment of viscosityLinting, surface protection and anti-slip agents
medical careparaffinicEmulsions and solidsDispersion of surface treatment additivesSurface protection, glazing agent, release retardant for pharmaceuticals
colorparaffinicsolidProcess aidsCarrying agent for pigmented substances (base wax)
Plastics and rubberParaffin or natural waxSolid/PowderLubricant (PVC), Release Agent (PA)Improved appearance
varnishParaffin and natural waxesEmulsion/SolidbaseSurface protection for leather, floors and cars
poultryparaffinicSolid/LiquidDe-feathering, depilatorySmooth skin
Printing Inkparaffinicemulsionsdispersion enhancerAnti-scratch, non-slip, varnish
circulateparaffinicSolid/Liquidhomogenizercompatibilizer
snowboardingparaffinicsolidLubrication and scrubbing
Textile industry, inksparaffinicemulsionssizing agentDe-watering and Varnishing
Color mixer (photocopier)Paraffin and natural waxesemulsionsDispersing aidsClear printing
precision castingparaffin wax blendSolid/LiquiddemouldDimensionally accurate and consistent in shape, the
Silicate productsparaffinicemulsionsDemolding and MaintenanceImproved strength and appearance
Wood, leatherparaffinicemulsionsResistant to moisture and warping
Paper, paintparaffinicemulsionsSizing and peelingImproves water resistance and product appearance
paper-covered plasterboardparaffinicEmulsion, PasteMoisture-resistant, varnish