Polyethylene wax — preparation, modification and applications

Abstract

Wosk polietylenowy -otrzymywanie, modyfikacja i zastosowaniaStreszczenie -W artykule scharakteryzowano szerok¹ grupê substancji znanych jako woski. Opisano g³ówne metody otrzymywania wosków polietylenowych nale¿¹cych do wosków syntetycznych. Powstaj¹ one w procesach degradacji polietylenu oraz w procesach syntezy jako produkt g³ówny lub uboczny przy produkcji polietylenu. Omówiono metody modyfikacji wosków skutkuj¹ce popraw¹ ich w³aoeciwooeci i jakooeci. W³aoeciwooeci te decyduj¹ o mo¿liwych kierunkach zastosowañ. W pracy podano liczne przyk³ady ró¿norodnych zastosowañ wosków polietylenowych wykazuj¹c jak cennym s¹ one materia³em. S³owa kluczowe: wosk polietylenowy, otrzymywanie, modyfikacja w³aoeciwooeci, zastosowanie. POLYETHYLENE WAX -PREPARATION, MODIFICATION AND APPLICATIONSSummary -In the paper, a wide range of substances, known as waxes, have been characterized. The main methods of preparation of polyethylene waxes, which belong to the family of synthetic waxes, were described. They are formed in the polyethylene degradation processes and are synthesized as the main product or as a by-product in polyethylene production. The methods of modification of waxes, which result in the improvement of their properties and quality, that determine the possible application areas, have been discussed. The examples of various uses of polyethylene waxes were given, indicating the high value of these materials.

Selected thermal properties of polyethylene waxes

“…Ethylene polymerization using suspension method is the typical example [1]. Polyolefin waxes can also be produced in direct synthesis from olefins and thermal degradation of polyolefins or their wastes [2,3].…”

Functionalization of Low-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene by Melt Grafting of Maleic Anhydride for Using as a Compatibilizer

“…It is a good compatibilizer for composite materials based on polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, butyl rubber, etc. [23][24][25] However, one of its disadvantages is the high hydrophobicity due to the lack of reactive functional groups on the main chain. To improve its properties for the use, PEW is modified with various methods, 26 including functionalization with acrylic acid, maleic anhydride and others, 27,28 and was used to expand the adhesion properties of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene 29 for chemical surface modification of fillers, in particular, calcium carbonate particles.…”

Archives of Foundry Engineering

“…The most commonly used waxes with the addition of fillers facilitate the process of filling the die cavity during injection moulding and ensure dimensional stability of patterns, i.e. mainly low shrinkage value [5][6]. Plastics containing, among others, components such as ethylmethylbenzenesulphonamide derivatives, polyester resins, benzoate derivatives (where the bonding materials are mainly resins), dedicated to the production of foundry patterns using 3D printing techniques, are also characterized by very good parameters.…”