Find Out What Wax Emulsion Malaysia Is Used For

When building space, it is normal to want the space to be properly made and layered with the right chemicals to ensure the paints or layers of chemicals stay for a longer period of time. Wax emulsion Malaysia is often used to enhance the coatings and inks, simultaneously contributing to a better finish after the building process. 

The impact of a surface can be improved with the help of wax emulsions, which you can learn more about and even utilise, by reading up on the subject. Find out what goes into formulating wax emulsions, how they work, the benefits they give in terms of minimising surface imperfections, and their primary uses.

What is a wax emulsion?

Formulated wax emulsions and dispersions are comprised of fine, stabilised wax particles that are dispersed uniformly in water. Since they are liquids, coatings and inks can have them added to the mixture with minimal effort.

Either non-ionic (steric) or ionic (often anionic) emulsifiers can be used to stabilise wax emulsions (an electrostatic mechanism). This is because wax particles are shielded by both stabilisation processes, and emulsion stability is maximised when anionic and non-ionic emulsifiers are combined. There is more leeway in the formulation because each stabilisation mechanism has its own benefits and drawbacks as well as a substantial effect on the whole.

What are the benefits of wax emulsion?

Slip Aid

Slip is the capacity of two surfaces to glide over one another without incurring mechanical damage. Good slip resistance necessitates that the slip additive is concentrated at the surface during application and cure. A fascinating test of microcrystalline waxes proved conclusively that the harder the wax, the better its slide qualities.

This is due to the fact that softer waxes tend to be more easily dissolved, leaving less wax in solid form to impart slide. In other words, the harder wax would include a greater proportion of crystals in its solid form, which would add slipperiness.

Water Repellency

Wax also provides water repellency or water resistance, which is an important feature. As its name suggests, it protects a surface from water intrusion. The protection can be temporary (water resistance or repellency) or almost indefinitely long-lasting (waterproof). Additionally, water resistance often refers to protection against liquid water, whereas moisture resistance refers to protection against water in a gaseous or vapour condition. 

Generally speaking, paraffin waxes, notably scale waxes (a less refined paraffin grade containing up to 5% oil), work exceptionally well on porous surfaces. The oil quickly imparts a particularly hydrophobic nature to the treated surface by penetrating easily within the pores and cracks.

Anti-Blocking

The term “anti-blocking” refers to the absence of adhesion between two surfaces under the influence of temperature, relative humidity, or even pressure, which fuses the surfaces together. A classic example of a blocking issue is when a freshly painted window frame is shut too rapidly after being painted. On occasion, it can be really challenging to reopen the window. 

Blocking is affected by the surface-free energy of the coating, its topography, its hardness, and its glass transition temperature (Tg). HDPE, paraffin, and carnauba waxes are typically used to prevent obstruction. Anti-blocking additives are also beneficial for coated, dried, and immediately stacked or rolled goods destined for storage or shipment.