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Applications for wax extrusion
Below is a multitude of applications that use wax in some form.
With many of the industries below are some IGI product recommendations you may find useful for the particular application. Click on the link to download a TIS (technical information sheet) for the product.
Adhesive Manufacture
Petroleum waxes can be formulated into numerous hot melt adhesive systems to modify viscosity, flow, and “set time” properties. Waxes can also influence an adhesive’s bond strength and flexibility.
IGI Product: See Microcrystalline wax section.
Agriculture (General)
Petroleum waxes and wax blends are used in the growing of crops (see fertilizer, rodenticide) and protection of the finished goods (see fruit and vegetable coatings).
Asphalt Modification
Petroleum waxes are incorporated into asphalt blends and emulsions to modify flow and enhance moisture resistance.
Bags
Petroleum based waxes and wax blends can be applied to paper bag stock to reduce unwanted migration of numerous liquids (water, grease, etc) and gases (oxygen, etc.)
Barrel (Wooden) Lining
Paraffin is used to coat the interior of wooden barrels to prevent the wood from being attacked by its contents (ie. Vinegar)
Barrier Coating
Petroleum based waxes and wax blends can be applied to numerous surfaces to reduce unwanted penetration or interactions of numerous liquids (water, grease, etc) and gases (oxygen, etc.).
Batteries
Amorphous poly alpha olefins are used in the construction of marine and off-road batteries to provide secure bonding and a measure of moisture protection.
Belting Impregnation
Bike Wax
Paraffin wax can be utilized in place of oil or grease as a chain lubricant. The wax is applied molten and then allowed to dry. Excess wax is removed and because the resulting film is dry, it doesn't collect dirt.
Board Sizing
Petroleum based waxes are applied in molten or emulsion form to provide moisture repellency to wood composite boards (oriented strand, particle, hardboard, gypsum, and medium density fiberboard)
IGI Product: IGI 431
Bookbinding Adhesive
Petroleum waxes can be formulated into bookbinding adhesive systems to modify physical properties.
Bottle Cap Liner
Petroleum waxes can be utilized to coat and secure cap liners into plastic caps. The wax serves to form a watertight seal between the bottle and the outer cap to reduce leaking if the bottle is overturned.
Bottle Sealing
Petroleum wax blends are used for sealing your corked wine bottles, oil candles and vinegar bottles. This dipped wax coating creates a professional finished look and a clean tamper free seal.
Braid Packing
Paraffin and crude scale waxes are used in yarn braiding applications as a lubricant and can provide mildew protection on natural yarns such as Flax.
Butcher's Paper
Petroleum waxes are a safe and effective moisture barrier coating for papers used to wrap cuts of meat. The treated substrate prevents dehydration, prolonging shelf life.
IGI Product: Evacote 7001
Cable Filling
Crude scale waxes and petrolatum are employed as moisture barrier fillers separating electrical wires from sheathing. The wax serves to occupy air spaces reducing the potential for water seepage into the construction.
Candlemaking
Petroleum waxes and wax blends provide the fuel to the candle’s wick permitting burning and they impart dimensional stability and shape to the candle. The ability of waxes to hold and deliver fragrance and modify a candle’s look (colorant interaction, crystal structure modification) has been critical in the recent surge in candle growth.
IGI Product: Go to the Candle Waxes section for more detailed information on candle waxes offered by IGI.
Candy Wrapper
Petroleum waxes are a safe and effective moisture barrier coating for papers used to wrap candies. The treated substrate protects the contents from external sources of damage (moisture, gas, etc), and protects the consumer by reducing dehydration and outward migration of oils/gases. Specially designed waxes offer excellent dead fold capabilities. IGI Product:See the Flexible Packaging section for detailed product information.
Canning & Preserving
Paraffin and crude scale waxes can be used to effectively seal the top opening of canning jars to protect preserves from dehydration or mold formation. Typically, these are low melt paraffin waxes, such as the IGI 1230 wax.
Carton Coating
Petroleum waxes and wax blends enhance moisture and grease resistance (protecting the contents), aesthetics (control gloss), coefficient of friction (ease plant handling), and sealing capabilities (heat seal) of a carton. See the Corrugated Waxes section for more detailed product information.
Caulking Compound
Petroleum waxes are used in the formulation of caulks and sealants to enhance processability and functionality.
Chalk & Pencil Fabrication
Graphite / lead pencils are made of a crystallized form of carbon (soot) that is mixed with wax and pressed into pencil molds. A reduction in wax levels will produce a harder pencil. Similar processes are used in the manufacture of chalk.
Cheese Coating
Petroleum wax blends provide a suitable moisture barrier on the cheese to prevent rapid drying.
IGI Product: PARAFFLEX 4669, PARAFFLEX 4671, PARAFFLEX 4672
Chewing Gum Base
Paraffin wax is used to bind ingredients and serve as a rheology modifier to impart “chew” characteristics. Occasionally, microcrystalline waxes are blended to modify these properties as well. Go to our Paraffin wax and Microcrystalline wax sections.
Cork Coating
Waxes can be sprayed onto or dip applied to corks to provide a gas barrier and serve as a slip agent in the removal of the cork from the bottle opening.
Corrosion Inhibitor
Petroleum waxes possess excellent film forming and water repellant properties making them valuable components in rust preventative formulations.
Corrugated Products (General)
Waxes and wax blends impart moisture resistance and structural strength to corrugated containers. The level of protection is controlled through a combination of surface and fiber treatments. Go to the Corrugated Products section for more product information.
Cosmetics (General)
Petroleum waxes serve as safe base material, solvent or carrier to provide moisture barrier, modify viscosity, or solidify formulations.
IGI Products: IGI 1230, Physiotherapy Wax 2288, Perlatum 310
Crayons
Paraffin waxes serve as a pigment binder. They assist in the transfer of the pigment from the crayon to the desired substrate. Generally, a mid melt paraffin wax, such as IGI 1245, is useful for this application.
Dental Wax
Paraffin waxes and wax blends are formulated to be high quality premium modeling waxes for use in dentistry. The waxes are usually provided by specialty businesses that utilize the paraffin and microcrystalline waxes with other materials to make a finished dental wax
Drink Cups
Petroleum waxes provide structural rigidity and reduce liquid penetration through the paper substrate.
IGI Products: IGI 1986, IGI 1230, and the Parafflex 4608
Earstoppers
Electrical (General)
Paraffin and microcrystalline waxes are used to provide a waterproof coating to electrical components. Sometimes known as “encapsulation”, the waxes are often blended with polymeric additives and resins by specialty blenders.
Emulsions
Paraffin and microcrystalline waxes are used in emulsion formulations primarily to provide moisture resistance to a substrate. Wax emulsions are widely used in the manufacture of textiles, paper, and engineered wood products. IGI has done much research on Emulsions, with our Prodigi line.
Explosives
Paraffin wax is used in dynamite wrappers as a moisture barrier. Microcrystalline waxes are used as a desensitizer in the manufacture of detonating fuses.
IGI Products: IGI 1260, Microsere 5999
Fabric Finishing
Paraffin waxes and wax blends can be applied to fabric to add desired characteristics such as “drape”, wrinkle or moisture resistance.
Fabric Sizing
Paraffin waxes perform in sizing formulations by resisting penetration of water or other liquids into fabric.
Fabric Waterproofing
Petroleum waxes and wax blends, due to their hydrophobic nature, can be applied to numerous substrates (paper, wood, canvas, etc.) to impart waterproof characteristics.
Fertilizer Coating
Petroleum waxes and wax blends are used to control release rates of active ingredients in sulfur coated urea fertilizers.
IGI Product: Evacote 7210, Evacote 7089
Firelogs
Petroleum waxes (primarily slack waxes) are used to bind compressed wood particles and maintain shape. Waxes serve ease ignition of the product and support the burn properties.
IGI product: IGI 431
Fireworks
(see explosives)
Flexible Packaging
Petroleum waxes and wax blends can be used on various paper and paperboard substrates to modify moisture and grease resistance (protecting the contents), aesthetics (gloss), coefficient of friction (ease plant handling), and sealing capabilities (heat seal).
IGI Product: See the IGI Flexible Packaging Section.
Floor Polishes
Petroleum based waxes enhance the gloss and buffability characteristics of a polish or paste primarily for wood floors.
Florists Paper
See the Flexible Packaging section
Folding Cartons
Petroleum waxes and wax blends enhance moisture and grease resistance (protecting the contents), aesthetics (control gloss), coefficient of friction (ease plant handling), and sealing capabilities (heat seal) of a folding carton. See IGI Corrugated Waxes section for further information.
Food Wrappers
Petroleum waxes and wax blends enhance moisture and grease resistance (protecting the contents), aesthetics (control gloss), coefficient of friction (ease plant handling), and sealing capabilities (heat seal) of food wrappers.
IGI Product: See the IGI Flexible Packaging Section
Fruit Coatings
Waxes are applied as a safe and effective surface coating to various fruits and vegetables to prevent dehydration, prolonging shelf life.
Graffiti Remover Coatings
Crude scale and paraffin waxes reduce the evaporation of solvents utilized in the coatings prolonging their efficiency.
Hot Melt Adhesives
Petroleum waxes can be formulated into numerous hot melt adhesive systems to modify viscosity, flow, and “set time” properties. Waxes can also influence an adhesive’s bond strength and flexibility.
IGI Product: See Microcrystalline wax section
Hot Melt Coatings
Petroleum wax blends enhance moisture and grease resistance (protecting the contents), aesthetics (control gloss), coefficient of friction (ease plant handling), and sealing capabilities (heat seal) of various substrates.
Impregnants (General)
Paraffin waxes impart structural strength and moisture barrier to paper substrates. Temperature control during application allows deposition of the wax on the surface of the substrate (coating) or into the fibers (imprgnation). See the Corrugated Waxes section for more detailed product information.
Ink Manufacture
Petroleum waxes (paraffin, microcrystalline and petrolatum) are incorporated in ink formulations to improve scuff (mar) and slip-resistant properties in ink. Waxes also serve as a carrier of pigments and other additives.
IGI Product: Petax 243
Insulating Wax
Paraffin waxes are utilized in numerous electrical applications as a result of their insulating capabilities.
Investment Casting
Paraffin and microcrystalline waxes serve as binders in investment casting “waxes” and assist in the removal of the blend after the mold is produced. Investment casting waxes offer exceptional dimensional stability required in precision castings of metals.
Laminants (General)
Microcrystalline waxes and wax blends can impart superior moisture barrier properties while serving to provide desired bond strengths over defined temperature ranges as a laminant between two substrates (paper, linerboard, film, foil. etc.)
IGI Products: Microsere 5702, Microsere 5799
Leather Treating
Crude scale and paraffin waxes are employed to soften and impart water repellency to leather goods.
Lubricants (General)
Paraffin and microcrystalline waxes are formulated into industrial lubricating compounds due to their low viscosities and film forming properties.
Matches
Paper and wooden matches are tipped with crude scale wax to transfer the flame to the match stick and to support a smooth, consistent burn.
Meat Wrappers
Waxed cloth or paper reduces dehydration of the meat and prevents freezer burn.
IGI Product: See the Flexible Packaging Waxes section for more info.
Metal Coatings
Paraffin and crude scale waxes can be used on the surface of metals during production and shipping to provide lubrication and serve as a protective barrier (acid etching or moisture).
Mold Release
Paraffin and crude scale waxes can be incorporated into a resin matrix or applied externally to the mould surface to facilitate release of polymeric and cellulose materials.
Molded Specialties
Microcrystalline waxes and wax blends are used as a base material and binder for numerous molded products (sculpture molds, toilet bowl rings, etc.).
Newsprint Overwrap
Microcrystalline waxes and wax blends impart superior moisture barrier properties while serving to provide a fiber-tear, wide temperature range lamination between two paper/linerboard substrates.
IGI Products: See Flexible Packaging wax section
Paint and Varnish Removers
Crude scale and paraffin waxes reduce the evaporation of solvents prolonging their efficiency.
IGI Product: IGI 1230, IGI 1240
Paper Coatings
Petroleum waxes and wax blends can be designed to enhance moisture and grease resistance (protecting the contents), aesthetics (gloss, surface characteristics), coefficient of friction (ease plant handling), and sealing capabilities (heat seal) of paper.
IGI Product: see Flexible Waxes product section
Papermaking
Paraffin wax and paraffin wax emulsion are used for internal and surface sizing in paper manufacturing. Waxes impart a number of surface properties related to hydrophobicity, release, scuff resistance, friction control and anti-blocking.
Paste Up Wax
Microcrystalline waxes and wax blends are used in the process of physically adhering artwork to the paste board. Hot wax is applied to one substrate loosely adhered (allowing rearrangement) to a board. The finished board was used as the “master” for subsequent printing operations.
IGI product: Tac Wax (Microsere) 5723
Pharmaceuticals (General)
Petroleum waxes serve as safe base material, solvent or carrier to provide moisture barrier, modify viscosity, or solidify formulations.
Physiotherapy
Low melt paraffin and crude scale waxes are used in physiotherapy to provide heat to an injured area. Waxes permit a greater release of heat for a longer period than water, completely surrounds the part being treated and the patient does not need to remain in a fixed position.
IGI Product: Physiotherapy wax 2288, IGI 941, IGI 2274
Plasticizer for Polyolefins
Petroleum waxes can be used to depress the glass-transition temperatures, reduce stiffness and brittleness, and improve the processability of polyolefins.
Plastics Compounding
Paraffin waxes provide external lubrication during the extrusion of various plastic including PVC.
IGI Products: Interflo 39, Interflo 66
Polishes (General)
Petroleum based waxes enhance the gloss and buffability characteristics of a polish or paste.
Precision Casting
Paraffin and microcrystalline waxes serve as binders in investment casting “waxes” and assist in the removal of the blend after the mold is produced. Investment casting waxes offer exceptional dimensional stability required in precision castings of metals.
Printing Inks
Petroleum waxes (paraffin, microcrystalline and petrolatum) are incorporated in ink formulations to improve scuff (mar) and slip-resistant properties in ink. Waxes also serve as a carrier of pigments and other additives.
IGI Products: Petax 243
Protective Coatings
Petroleum waxes and wax blends can protect numerous substrates (paper, wood, rubber, metal, etc.) from physical (scuff, etc.) and chemical (moisture, gas, acid, etc.) damage.
PVC Lubricant
Paraffin waxes provide external lubrication during the extrusion of PVC.
IGI Product: Interflo 39, Interflo 66
Ream Wrap
Petroleum waxes and wax blends impart superior moisture barrier (flat and creased) and coefficient of friction to paper used as an outer wrap for photocopy paper.
IGI Product: see Flexible Packing waxes section.
Release Agents
Petroleum waxes and wax blends, as a result of tremendous wetting capabilities and barrier properties, can be formulated to provide release from molds, processing equipment, etc.
IGI Products: See fully refined paraffin wax section
Road Marking Paint
Petroleum waxes and atactic poly alpha olefins (APAO’s) function as fillers and binders in thermoplastic road marking paints and tapes.
Rodenticides
Paraffin and crude scale waxes are used as binding agents for the active ingredients in rodenticides.
IGI Products: IGI 1230, IGI 941
Rope Wax
Crude scale waxes provide flexibility to finished ropes and twine.
Rubber Processing
Waxes continuously migrate to the surface of rubber components / tires providing a protective film against ozone degradation.
IGI Product: Nochek 4607, IGI 1230, IGI 1246, Microsere 5818.
Sculpture Wax
Microcrystalline waxes and wax blends due to their malleability and thermal properties are used to create relief sculptures from which molds are produced.
IGI Product: Microsere 5799
Sealants (General)
Paraffin and crude scale waxes can be used to effectively void seams on numerous substrates from unwanted liquid or gas migration. Waxes can also be employed in sealant formulations to modify rheology and viscosity.
Sealing Wax
Paraffin and crude scale waxes can be used to effectively seal the top opening of canning jars to protect preserves from dehydration or mold formation.
Shoe Polishes
Petroleum based waxes enhance the gloss and buff characteristics of a polish or paste.
Ski Wax
Paraffin waxes permit skiers to achieve much greater speeds through the production of a uniform, unblemished surface. Waxes are applied to the snow / ski interface to fill all voids in the ski base. The surface wax must be removed as it will actually stick to snow crystals reducing achievable speeds. The finished product is often a formulation of paraffin, microcrystalline, and natural waxes.
Stop-Off Wax for Etching
Paraffin or crude scale waxes are used to prevent “acid etching” of metals by forming a protective covering which later on can be easily removed.
Tackifiers
Petroleum waxes can be formulated into tackifier resins to modify viscosity, flow, and other properties.
IGI Products: See Paraffin wax and Microcrystalline wax sections
Tear Tape
Petroleum waxes add heat seal capabilities to tear tape.
IGI Product: Teartape 105
Textile Treatment
Petroleum waxes are utilized in textile treatment to provide lubrication, resisting penetration of water or other liquids, and impacting the feel, look, or performance of the finished product.
Tire Manufacture
Waxes continuously migrate to the surface of rubber components / tires providing a protective film against ozone degradation.
IGI Product: Nochek 4607
Tissue Embedding
Paraffin wax has been used as an embedding medium in the study of tissue for over 100 years. It is a good embedding medium for routine histology because it can thoroughly permeate the tissue in its liquid form (when warm), and it solidifies (when cooled) with little damage to the tissue.
Toilet Bowl Gaskets
Crude scale and microcrystalline waxes are formed into rings designed to seal the connection between the toilet base and the drain flange.
Vegetable Coatings
Waxes are applied as a safe and effective surface coating to various fruits and vegetables to prevent dehydration, prolonging shelf life.
Veterinary Preparations
Petroleum waxes serve as safe base material, solvent or carrier to provide moisture barrier, modify viscosity, or solidify formulations.
Vine Grafting
Vine grafting is the process of bringing two different grape vines together. After a graft is made, some covering must be used to keep it from drying out. A special elastomeric material (grafting tape) can be wound around the graft, or the more economical approach is to dip or brush on a wax blend.
Waterproofing
Petroleum waxes and wax blends, due to their hydrophobic nature, can be applied to numerous substrates (paper, wood, canvas, etc.) to impart waterproof characteristics.
IGI Product: See
Waxed Paper
Petroleum waxes offer a safe and effective moisture barrier treatment for paper. The treated substrate protect contents from external sources of damage (moisture, gas, etc), and protects the consumer by reducing dehydration and outward migration of product components (oils, gases, etc.).
Wire Coating
Petroleum waxes can be applied to electrical wires to provide lubrication during processing or to protect against moisture penetration.
