Micro Powders Wax Products for the Paints and Coatings Industry

In previous articles, we discussed the use of various additives in products used in the paints and coatings sector to impart certain properties and improve quality.

One of these is micronized wax, which comes in the form of fine-particle powder, dispersion, or emulsion liquid additives. Waxes are obtained naturally from animals, plants, and petroleum products, while they are also produced synthetically through chemical processes.

Natural sources include animals such as bees and whales, while plants are the palm trees grown in Brazil from which Carnauba wax is obtained. Synthetic waxes are produced through the polymerization of esters, alcohols, carboxylic acids, and their derivatives.

Wax polymers are produced for various purposes, and those intended for the paints and coatings sector are based on Fischer-Tropsch, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide, etc., and impart properties such as scratch resistance, rub resistance, wear resistance, water repellency, silky surface feel, mattness, and texture effects to coatings.

In this article, we will share technical details of wax products from Micro Powders Inc. (MPI), one of the world's leading wax producers, whose representative we are. Since 1971, Micro Powders has been manufacturing innovative specialty micronized waxes, wax dispersions, and emulsions.

Micronization should not be confused with microcrystallization; it is generally the process of reducing particle size from 0.1 cm-1.0 cm to a 1-100 micron size range depending on the end-use conditions. While many processes have their own equipment and advantages, the most commonly used is the air jet process.

The working mechanism of waxes involves wax particles migrating to the surface and spreading across the coating surface to form a film with a blooming effect.

Applications using Micro Powders products include decorative paints, industrial coatings, powder coatings, inks, and wood coatings. If you wish, let us examine the wax varieties and technical properties produced by the company in more detail.

Natural Waxes

Of waxes from animal, plant, and other sources, only Carnauba is included in this category and can be easily micronized.

Microcrystalline

It is obtained from residue that settles at the bottom during the oil refining process. It is not very suitable for micronization.

Synthetic (Fischer-Tropsch)

It is obtained from the coal oxidation reaction where carbon monoxide is released. It is hydrogenated with iron/nickel catalyst. It forms a saturated hydrocarbon chain (50-100 carbon). It provides economic slip properties and scratch resistance (<COF). MP®-12, MP®-22, MP®-22VF; XF; XXF are some of our synthetic wax products.

Polyethylene (PE)

Polyethylene waxes come from petroleum derivatives known as polyolefins. These polymers are produced through metal catalyst transitions and are in the gas phase in solution and slurry under low pressure. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), and Very Low Density Polyethylene (VLDPE) are members of this family.

Low-pressure polyethylenes in the 0.88-0.963 g/cc density range are offered for sale. They have high melting points. They provide solvent resistance, maximum rub resistance, wear and mar resistance to coatings.

Ultra-fine particle types provide outstanding clarity and gloss retention. MPP®-230F; VF, MPP®-620F; VF; XF; XXF, MPP®-123 are among MPI's polyethylene wax products.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene waxes are low-density, high molecular weight, and have melting points. MPI's three main polypropylene wax products are PropylMatte® 31, Micropro®, and MicroMatte®. Propylmatte® 31 is 100% polypropylene and provides mattness and gloss control.

It provides extra film hardness, heat resistance, and outstanding anti-block properties. It increases gloss and friction resistance. Micropro® and MicroMatte® are modified polypropylene wax types. While providing gloss control and wear resistance, they also provide heat resistance, gloss resistance, and an outstanding soft touch feel on the surface.

As the melting point of waxes increases, extra hardness, scratch and anti-block properties will also increase. Micropro® 200, Micropro® 440W, PropylMatte® 31, MicroMatte® 1213 UVW are among the products that stand out.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

These waxes are obtained through the recycling process of PTFE extrusion products or through the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. PTFE generally experiences radiation, reducing molecular weight and becoming micronizable. Once micronized, a highly effective wax is obtained.

However, with a density of 2.2 g/cc and high cost, it is used only in very high-performance products. Fluo® HT, Fluo® HTI-2, Fluo® 300 XF, Fluo® 625F-H, Fluo® 750TX are 100% PTFE types. Synfluo series is a PTFE&synthetic mixture and is more economical than 100% PTFE waxes.

Wax mobility increases and provides outstanding gloss control, slip (<COF), and scratch resistance. Synfluo® 170VF, Synfluo® 172VF-XF, Synfluo® 178VF-XF are several preferred products of this series available in different particle sizes. Polyfluo® waxes (PE/PTFE) are mixtures of polyethylene&PTFE blended in different proportions.

This wax product combines rub and mar resistance from PE with heat resistance from PTFE. It increases stability (no settling). It is more economical than 100% PTFE. Polyfluo® 150XF, Polyfluo® 190, Polyfluo® 400XF are several preferred varieties.

Polysilk® waxes are a PE&PTFE combination. While providing slip and silky touch feel on the surface, they increase scratch, rub, and heat resistance. Micromide® waxes are amide%PTFE combinations. They provide outstanding slip effect (<COF), scratch resistance, and clarity.

Amides (EBS)

Amides are in the group of metal stearates and bistearamides and are used as wax slip agents in the coatings sector. Zinc stearate, mostly used as a sanding agent, is a metal complex of zinc. Micromide® waxes are either 100% Amide (EBS) or in combination with PTFE.

They provide slip effect (<COF), scratch resistance, and clarity on the surface. Superslip® waxes (PE/Amide) are combinations of polyethylene and bistearamide (EBS). They provide slip effect without PTFE.

Surface smoothness and softness, gloss resistance in low-gloss systems. Superslip® 6515 XF, Superslip® 6520, SuperGlide® 904 XF are some of these.

Aqua waxes (oxide) are designed for water-based systems. Oxidation increases wax polarity and also improves in-container stability. Aquawax® 214VF, AquaPoly® 215VF, AquaPolysilk® 19, AquaPolyfluo 411 are several varieties. Microspersion® water dispersions are suitable for use with or without binder.

Microspersion® 190-50, Microspersion® 22-50, Microspersion® 31HD-40, Microspersion® 411-50 are well-regarded types for performance. Texture additives create the desired effect on the surface with the correct particle size to achieve a texture effect. PropylTex® (polypropylene); NyloTex (Nylon 6); AquaTex® (oxidized PE) are the most well-known types.

As Boysan Boya San. ve Tic. A.Ş., we are pleased to market Micro Powders' wax products in Turkey and the Turkish Republics with our 49 years of technical and commercial experience.

Tuğba Sadıç Technical Director Boysan A.Ş.