Microcrystalline wax is a byproduct of petroleum refining that has a finer crystalline structure than paraffin wax and possesses good elastic and adhesive qualities. It is used in cosmetics, rubber compounds, candles, metal casting, and sports equipment. There are two common grades of wax: rolling and hardening. Wax is also used in the printing industry and as a conditioner for other petroleum products. It is a possible by-product of “green” hybrid petroleum refining.
Microcrystalline wax is a byproduct of petroleum refinery acquired when petrolatum or petroleum jelly is deoiled. The product differs from other petroleum wax by-products in that it contains a high level of branched or isoparaffinic hydrocarbons. This gives the wax a finer crystalline structure than paraffin wax, for example, as well as being stickier, darker and melting at higher temperatures. Microcrystalline wax also possesses good elastic and adhesive qualities due to its finer crystalline structure. Wax is used in a wide variety of applications which include cosmetics, rubber compounds, candles and metal casting.
During the refining of lubricating oils, heavy distillates such as petrolatum are produced which are further refined to make products such as microcrystalline wax. In the case of wax manufacturing, the petrolatum, or petroleum jelly as it is more commonly known, is typically sent offsite to specialized wax refineries for further processing. Here the petrolatum undergoes a deoiling process to produce microcrystalline wax. At this point, further hydro-treating may be considered to remove the natural odors and color from the wax. The final product is a wax of fine crystalline structure with outstanding flexibility, viscosity, temperature resistance and adhesive qualities.
There are two common grades of wax: rolling and hardening. Microcrystalline laminating wax is the softer of the two with a melting point of 140°-175°F (60°-80°C). Hardener grade wax melts at 175° – 200°F (80° – 93°C) with a needle penetration grade of 25 or less as opposed to 25 and above of rolling grade. The clarity and color of the wax can vary from a dark brown or straw color to white depending on the extent of the aging process. Hard wax’s higher melting point makes it ideal for metal casting processes, especially in jewelry making.
Wax is used extensively in sports such as snowboarding and ice hockey, where it is used as a wax for boards or pucks and as a preservative for friction tapes. Its excellent lubricating qualities also make it an ideal additive for printing industry applications where it is used as a slip agent in printing inks. The cosmetic industry is also a regular consumer of microcrystalline wax with many products featuring it as a formulation additive. It is also regularly used in its parent industry as a conditioner for many other petroleum products.
Ironically one of these is the petroleum jelly from which it is refined; in this application it is used to adjust the consistency and coagulation characteristics of the petrolatum. The wax is also used extensively in the manufacture of candles and rubber compounds, especially those used in the tire manufacturing industry. Microcrystalline wax is also a possible by-product of “green” hybrid petroleum refining which should ensure the long-term prospects for this useful product.
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