Problems:

• How do I incorporate micronized wax into solvent systems?
• How do I incorporate micronized wax into waterborne systems?
• Can wax kick out of a system?
• How do I incorporate micronized wax into powder coating systems?
• Will defoamer cause any problems with wax?
• Will aromatic solvents cause any problems with wax?

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How do I incorporate micronized wax into solvent systems?

The best way to incorporate micronized waxes into solvent systems is to pre-mix in solvent or resin blend and then add to the finished batch. You can also add the wax after you have completed the dispersion of pigment or after dissolving the resin but before the final let down. It is best not to add the wax at the very end or during times where the wax will be exposed to high temperatures. If added at the very end of the batch, it may not disperse. If exposed to high temperatures in the presence of aromatic or other high KB solvents, the wax may dissolve only to re-crystallize at a later time and as a much larger particle.

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How do I incorporate micronized wax into waterborne systems?

The best way to incorporate micronized waxes into waterborne systems is to pre mix in a coalescing agent or resin system and then add to the finished batch. You can also add the wax after you have completed the dispersion of pigment or after dissolving the resin but before the final let down. It is best not to add the wax at the very end or before the final defoamer add is made. If added at the very end it may not disperse. If concentrated defoamer is added, it may interact with the wax and float out. It is best to always add defoamer in a very dilute form after wax has been added to a batch. Micro Powders has a full line of waterborne dispersions to make this process as easy as possible.

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Can wax kick out of a system?

Wax, generally, will not kick out of any system once it is dispersed. You need to remember that the wax should never be dissolved into a system because most micronized waxes are not soluble in inks and paints and coatings. The wax may float or settle in a system which gives the perception of a kickout but if it is never dissolved, it cannot kick out. Very often, if there is another problem in the system and there is a resin kickout, there will be a significant amount of wax in the resultant mixture.

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How do I incorporate micronized wax into powder coating systems?

Powder coating systems benefit greatly from the use of micronized wax. The best way to incorporate these waxes is to add them to the premix before extrusion. Because the wax is micronized, it will more evenly disperse than pellets or block wax. There are some cases where you can post add the micronized wax if necessary.

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Will defoamer cause any problems with wax?

Defoamers can react with lower molecular weight waxes or wax treated silicas by partially dissolving the wax and causing it to kick out and float. The best solution for this problem is to upgrade the micronized wax and use less of it since changing the defoamer is usually not an option. One quick test is to place 0.5 grams of wax into a 10cc test tube. Fill with the defoamer and mix thoroughly. Let this mix sit overnight and then observe. If there appears to be gel sites forming or if the viscosity goes very high, there is probably an incompatibility between the defoamer and the wax.

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Will aromatic solvents cause any problems with wax?

Aromatic solvents like Toluene or Xylene can partially dissolve lower molecular weight waxes at elevated temperatures. Once this cools, the wax will re-crystallize with much larger particles. This may not be evident in the retain sample because it was probably cooled very quickly compared to the much larger batch. To resolve this problem, you need to either lower the processing temperature, increase the molecular weight of the wax or prepare a dispersion of the wax before adding.

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