Additional Industries and Applications Supplied by IGI Wax
IGI supplies product to a wide variety of other industries, ranging from firelogs to cosmetics. The versatility of IGI wax products is enormous-we welcome the opportunity to have our technical department discuss what IGI waxes may work in your application.
Additional Product Lines
Petrolatum Products
IGI offers both industrial grade and USP grade petrolatums
| TEST METHODS | PETAX® 310A (USP Grade) |
PETAX® 320A (USP Grade) |
Petrofibe 201 (Industrial Grade) |
| Drop Melting Point °F (ASTM D127) °C |
125 - 140 51.7 - 60.0 |
125 - 140 51.7 - 60.0 |
130-160 |
| Cone Penetration, dmm @ 77°F (25°C) (ASTM D937) |
165 - 200 | 195 - 230 | 140-180 |
| Saybolt Color (ASTM D6045) | +10 - +20 cream white |
+10 - +20 cream white |
>8 |
| Lovibond Color, 2” cell (typical) | 0.8Y 0.1R | 0.8Y 0.1R | N/A |
| Fiber Length | Medium | Medium | N/A |
INTERFLO®
INTERFLO products are often used as a plastic processing aide, especially in the manufacture of PVC. They also find many uses that require a high melt point paraffin to be dispersed in a formulation as a lubricant, viscosity control, anti-blocking agent, or other processing aide.
K-TAC, Baymel, and Numel
These are Atactic Polypropylene and Polyolefin products (APP and APO) that typically find uses in adhesives, roofing compounds, and laminating applications.
Other Applications
Below is a multitude of applications that use wax in some form..
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.
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.
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)
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.
Caulking Compound
Petroleum waxes are used in the formulation of caulks and sealants to enhance processability and functionality.
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.
Corrosion Inhibitor
Petroleum waxes possess excellent film forming and water repellant properties making them valuable components in rust preventative formulations.
Cosmetics (General)
Petroleum waxes serve as safe base material, solvent or carrier to provide moisture barrier, modify viscosity, or solidify formulations.
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.
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.
Fabric Finishing
Paraffin waxes and wax blends can be applied to fabric to add desired characteristics such as “drape”, wrinkle or moisture resistance.
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.
Floor Polishes
Petroleum based waxes enhance the gloss and buffability characteristics of a polish or paste primarily for wood floors.
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.
Leather Treating
Crude scale and paraffin waxes are employed to soften and impart water repellency to leather goods.
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).
Paint and Varnish Removers
Crude scale and paraffin waxes reduce the evaporation of solvents prolonging their efficiency.
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.
PVC Lubricant
Paraffin waxes provide external lubrication during the extrusion of PVC.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
