Polymers

Ethylene Homopolymers - POLYWAX® Polyethylene

Baker Petrolite ethylene homopolymer technology is commercially supplied as POLYWAX® Polyethylene. For thirty years, POLYWAX Polyethylenes have served as standard performance additives in a variety of industrial applications, leading to significant performance advantages:

• Enhanced lubricity, flow-modification, mold-release, and anti-block properties in plastics processing applications
• Superior finished-product properties and performance due to optimum cell nucleation in expandable polystyrene production
• Excellent slip and rub resistance in printing inks
• Improved lubricity and fusing properties in toner formulations
• Superior performance in controlling set / softening point of hot-melt coatings and adhesives
• High sag point, cable-fill compounds for fiber optic cables

Through a unique and proprietary polymerization process, the Polymers Division produces the POLYWAX family of low molecular weight ethylene homopolymers, which are 100% linear and saturated and characterized by a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of approximately 1.1. Because the POLYWAX polyethylenes are linear and have a narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD), physical properties are highly co-related, such that the melting point and hardness are controlled by molecular weight alone.

The production process is controllable to the extent that desired molecular weight products are obtained predictably and consistently. Products with number average molecular weights from 450 to 3000, with corresponding melting points of 80°C to 132°C, are commercially produced. Due to their 100% linearity and narrow Molecular Weight Distribution, POLYWAX polyethylenes characteristically display high crystallinity and sharp melting points.

Features	Benefits
High crystallinity	Low solubility in solvents Increased hardness at elevated temperatures Oil thickening capability
Controlled Mn and narrow MWD	Formulating flexibility Low melt viscosity Narrow melting range
100% linearity, fully saturated	Resistance to chemical attack Excellent heat stability

Most POLYWAX and PETROLITE polyethylenes meet many FDA requirements for food applications. Products are available as prills, and some grades are available as fine particles with diameters from 6 to 150 microns.