Difference between Fischer-Tropsch wax and PE wax

Fischer-Tropsch waxes are characterized by fine crystal structure, high melting point, narrow melting range, low oil content, low needle penetration, low mobility, low melt viscosity, hardness, wear resistance and stability.

As a PVC lubricant, Fischer-Tropsch synthetic waxes are often compared to general purpose polyethylene waxes (PE waxes).

1, Molecular weight. The molecular weight of Fischer-Tropsch wax is much lower than that of PE wax, and the branched chain is also less, with high crystallinity, which is easy to penetrate into the high viscosity macromolecular chain and significantly reduce the melt viscosity, with little migration during processing and obvious lubrication effect in the later stage.

2, Fischer-Tropsch wax is saturated straight alkane, does not contain double bond, strong anti-oxidation ability, good weather resistance.

3, The viscosity of Fischer-Tropsch wax is much lower than PE wax. Fischer-Tropsch wax is more compatible with PVC, and it can be competent as both internal and external lubricant. It can be used as a good internal lubricant to effectively control shear conditions, promote flow, control friction and melt performance, thus improving thermal stability.

At the same time, Fischer-Tropsch waxes give the best physical and processing properties to PVC products due to their high crystallinity and linearity structure. Depending on the need, Fischer-Tropsch process can synthesize alkanes of different chain lengths to change the molecular weight of the final product and form a series of products.

Main applications of Fischer-Tropsch waxes
Plastics industry: Fischer-Tropsch waxes can be used in plastics processing, such as injection molding, extrusion and pelletizing industries. Fischer-Tropsch wax is used in the production of masterbatches and modified plastics to help dispersion of fillers and excellent slip during compounding. It can be used as an external lubricant for PVC, and its low viscosity can improve the production speed of the product. It helps to disperse the color filler during mixing, and is especially useful in extrusion of high-viscosity system, with 40-50% less addition than common PE wax, and can significantly improve the surface gloss of the product (it can replace Brazilian carnauba wax in terms of gloss). When using concentrated colors, the melted Fischer-Tropsch wax can effectively wet the dye and reduce the extrusion viscosity.

Inks and coatings: When used in inks as a particulate powder, it can improve the abrasion resistance and wrinkle resistance of the applied material. When applied in coating, it can provide wrinkle effect, and when used in micronized state it can form streak and waterline wrinkle effect. In the addition of powder coating resin, in the extrusion process to play a lubricating effect, can reduce the screw torque, reduce energy consumption to improve production efficiency.

Adhesive: It is the ideal synthetic wax used in EVA-based hot melt adhesives because it is synthesized directly by CO and H2 without any pollution and taste, and it is FDA certified and can be used directly in the hot melt adhesive industry in contact with food; its low viscosity at high temperature can improve the fluidity of hot melt adhesives and enhance the wetting of bonded surfaces; it has a high freezing point and can improve the heat resistance of hot melt adhesives; its small needle penetration can improve the strength of hot melt adhesives; its carbon distribution range is relatively narrow, the opening time is relatively small and the quick drying is good.

Lubricant: By cracking isomerization of Fischer-Tropsch wax, it can produce sulfur-free Class III lubricant base oil.