Every type of wax is defined by certain parameters such as hardness, melting point, viscosity, colour, and many others. These determine the large number of potential uses of the product.
Some waxes are approved as food additives (E 901, E 905, E 912, E 914). Those waxes must comply with stringent specifications that are described by international laws and regulations. Most important are EC, FDA, and MITI approvals, but there are other national guidelines which have to be taken into account in some countries. A great number of waxes, mineral hydrocarbons or white oils are also approved for use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food contact applications.
Wax applications can be classified into two categories:
- waxes as processing aids
- waxes as base materials or additives for imparting, improving or modifying product properties.
Out of several thousand applications which have been reported up to present, only a small selection can be presented here. For details please refer to EWF member companies.
Examples:
|
Function During Processing |
Function / Effect on Finished Good |
| adhesives, hot melts | viscosity regulation, open time | rapid set off |
| agriculture (fertilizers, plant protection) | anti-agglomeration aids in controlled release fertilizers; grafting | retard release of chemical protection against microbes in grafting |
| automotive industry | surface protection on metal and painted surfaces; corrosion protection in cavities | |
| candles | moldability and extrudability | fuel for controlled burn |
| carbon paper | dispersing agent and binder | clarity of reproduction |
| cardboard, paper | improvement of MVT properties of substrate and adhesion | coating, impregnation, surface gloss, laminating |
| ceramics and metal (powder) | binder for sintering | improved surface and reduction of rejects |
| cheese | encapsulation; moisture controll | coating, surface protection |
| chewing gum | dispersion of rubber and gumbase aditives | chewability of gumbase |
| citrus (and other) fruit | surface and emulsifier treatment | protective coating |
| cosmetics | binder, consistency regulation | component of ointments, pastes, creams, lipsticks |
| electrical and electronic applications | release agent; masking agent in edging process | insulator |
| explosives | process aid | phlegmatizer |
| metal working | lubrication | corrosion inhibitor |
| paints and coatings | viscosity regulation | matting, surface protection; slip agent |
| pharmaceuticals | dispersion or surface treatment aid | surface protection; glazing agent; release retardant in drugs |
| pigments | processing aid | carrier (base wax) in pigment masterbatches |
| plastics and rubber | lubricant (PVC), release agent (PA) | improves surface appearance |
| polishes | major ingredient | surface protection of leather, floors, cars |
| poultry | defeathering | smooth skin |
| printing inks | dispersion promotor | improvement of rub resistance, slip, gloss |
| recycling | homogenizer | compatibilizer |
| ski | lubricant; polish | |
| textile industry | sizing agent | water repellant, lustering |
| toner (photocopiers) | dispersing aid | print clarify |