APL-CC- 6-00

Marcus Wax Applications in Plastic Additive Concentrates

Use of Marcus waxes for dispersing color and other additives in plastics

Marcus Polyethylene Waxes are low molecular weight polymers with very low viscosities that help wet out and disperse many plastic additives and colorants. Additionally Marcus Polyethylene Wax can aid in processing resins due to its excellent lubricating and release properties.

Once properly dispersed in the wax/binder matrix the particles remain suspended and are prevented from re-agglomerating.

Marcus Polyethylene Waxes can be used with many organic and inorganic additives and colorants to produce high quality concentrates.

Marcus Polyethylene waxes are compatible with many base resins including olefin polymers such as polyethylene and poly propylene. Best results are usually achieved with the use of a Marcus Homopolymer wax such as M300 or M500. Both M300 and M500 have very low viscosity and relatively sharp melting points around 116o C.

Concentrates typically include three components:

  • Additive or colorant
  • Resin / binder
  • Wax                .
Typical Marcus Wax addition levels in the concentrate can range from 5-25% and more commonly <10% depending on which mixing process is employed.  Let down levels into the base resin system range from 1-5% resulting in a final wax content of 0.1--0.5%. This level is usually not significant in terms of effecting the physical properties of the base resin.

Pigment loadings can be as high as 60% for inorganic and 25-50% for organics and carbon black
The resin / binder  used in the concentrate should be compatible with the base resin and helps build shear in mixing equipment and add strength for processing of the concentrate

Compounding of colorants and other additives  can use one of the following production techniques:

  • Milling- utilizing a two roll mill. Requires controlled rheology allowing for high shear . Processing times tend to be longer than other methods.
  • High Intensity Mixing- heat generated in this process melts the wax which wets out the colorant/additive. This process usually utilizes single or twin screw extruders, the latter generally requiring less wax be used.   
    A variation of this method is referred to as flushing where wax is melted and combined with press cake. The wax displaces the water and wets out the colorant/additive particles
  • Internal (Banbury) mixing- where all ingredients are processed under high shear followed by sheeting, dicing and extruding for strand granulation
  • Continuous internal mixing- a continuous variation of internal mixing utilizing a Buss or Farrel mixer for large scale production.

Marcus Oil & Chemical
Division of H.R.D. Corporation 
PO Drawer 450267
Houston, TX 77245 U.S.A
Fax 713-726-9885
Telephone: 800-Marcus1 
                    (800-627-2871 )
Email contactus2@marcusoil.com

Visit us at www.marcusoil.com

Disclaimer : Marcus Oil & Chemical does not guarantee the completeness, applicability or the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor the suitability of the products described herein for any particular purpose.   No warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, are made with respect to the products described herein.  The user assumes all risk and liability in connection with such usage. Marcus Oil & Chemical shall not be liable for any damages, lost profits or injuries resulting from your use or inability to use information obtained from herein . Users should check all applicable laws and regulations concerning products use. The information contained herein is provided "As is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties or merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
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