Waxes for Specialized Applications

IGI's wax experts provide scientific advisory services to dozens of industries

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Wax Solutions for Specialized Industries

Following is just a short list of the specialized industrial uses of wax.  For the specific IGI product appropriate for your need, please contact us.

Inks

IGI’s line of AccumeltTM and other products have a wide range of applications in the ink and printing industries. Specialized equipment at the manufacturing site allows IGI to separate waxes to specific cuts which allows precise levels of thermal transfer when used in the application.

Due to the specialized nature of these products, we strongly suggest you contact us to discuss your particular application.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Huge possibilities using wax

There are over 100+ applications that have used IGI waxes

New uses of wax uncovered all the time

Despite over 70 years in the wax business, IGI routinely discovers new ways for our customers to incorporate wax in their application

Get in touch

We want to hear your ideas on how to use wax, and how we can make our products work for you

Talk to an IGI Wax Expert

Call 1-800-561-3509

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