Synthetic Waxes

Synthetic waxes are primarily derived by polymerizing ethylene. Alpha olefins are chemically reactive because they contain a double bond which is on the first carbon. Our newest synthetic paraffins are hydro treated alpha olefins which removes the alpha olefins which removes the alpha double bond, making a high melt, narrow cut and hard paraffin wax.

Synthetic Paraffins: Our two newest products are new to the industry as well. Two grades of alpha olefins have been hydro treated to remove the alpha double bond. The high-pressure hydrogen make a unique wax with a very narrow carbon distribution, a greater hardness for its melt point and a lower viscosity than a similar melt point wax.

Alpha Olefins

Our regular alpha olefins are very similar to straight chained paraffin wax except there is a double bond between the first and second carbon atoms in each chain. These are made by polymerizing ethylene. The reactions are controlled to make narrow cuts. Branching is very minimal. The starting material is two carboned ethylene so alpha olefins are composed of only carboned chains, i.e. C20, C22, C24 etc. Although they are narrow cut, the double bond causes they crystalline structure to not be as compacted as a paraffin wax.

Alpha Olefin Fractions C20-24

Characteristic Method Specification
Carbon Number, wt.% C18, max. GLC 3.0
Carbon Number, wt.% %C20, min-max GLC 20-60
Carbon Number, wt. % C22, min-max GLC 20-60
Carbon Number, wt. % C24, min GLC 10
Carbon Number, wt. % C26, max GLC 1.0
Color, Saybolt, min ASTM D156 +30
Appearance ASTM D4176 Bright and Clear
Additional Information Method Typical Value
n-Alpha Olefin, wt % GLC 89.3
Vinylidene, wt% GLC 8.0
cis- and trans-2- Olefin, wt% GLC 0.3
Paraffin, wt % GLC 0.3
API Gravity, 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D287 43.0
Specific Gravity (Solid), 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D70 (Modified) 0.799
Specific Gravity (liquid), 160F/60F (71C/15.6C) SM 350-4 0.770
Density, lb./gal., 60F (15.6C)   6.67
Melting Point, F(C ) ASTM D87 96 (35.6
Flash Point, PM, (C ) ASTM D93 362 (183)
Viscosity, 210F (99C)    
Kinematic, cSt ASTM D445 2.1
Saybolt, SUS ASTM D2161 33
Penetration, 77F (25C) ASTM D1321 150
Distillation, F © ASTM D1160/5mm  
IBP   146 (63.3)
5%   358 (181.1)
95%   400 (204.4)
EP   410 (210.0)
Color, APHA APHA <5

Alpha Olefin Fractions C24-28

Characteristic Method Specification
Carbon Number, wt. %<C22, max. GLC 1.0
Carbon Number, wt. % C22, max GLC 2.0
Carbon Number, wt. % C24-28 min GLC 72
Carbon Number, wt. % C30+, max GLC 28
Color, Saybolt, min ASTM D156 +25
Appearance ASTM D4176 Bright and Clear
Additional Information Method Typical Value
n-Alpha Olefin, wt % NMR 50
Vinylidene, wt% NMR 40
cis- and trans-2- Olefin, wt% NMR 10
Paraffin, wt % Calculated 0.8
API Gravity, 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D287 40.9
Specific Gravity (Solid), 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D70 (Modified) 0.819
Specific Gravity (Liquid), 160F/60F (71C/15.6C) SM 350-4 0.78
Density, lb./gal., 60F (15.6C)   6.83
Congealing Point, F (C ) ASTM D938 126 (52.2)
Drop Melt Pint, F (C ) ASTM D127 154 (67.8)
Flash Point ASTM D938 425 (218
Viscosity, 210F (99C)    
Kinematic, cSt ASTM D445 2.5
Saybolt, SUS ASTM D2161 35
Penetration, 0.10 mm, 77F (25C) ASTM D1321 95
Distillation, F © ASTM D1160/5mm  
IBP   190 (87.8)
5%   436 (224.4)
95%   582 (305.6)
EP   608 (320.0)
    Residue 3%

Alpha Olefin Fractions C26-28

Characteristic Method Specification
Carbon Number, wt. %<C24, max. GLC 3.0
Carbon Number, wt. % C26, min-max GLC 50-65
Carbon Number, wt. % C28 min-max GLC 30-42
Carbon Number, wt. % C30, max GLC 6.0
Color, Saybolt, min. ASTM D156 +30
Appearance ASTM D4176 Bright and Clear
Additional Information Method Typical Value
n-Alpha Olefin, wt % NMR 83
Vinylidene, wt% NMR 15
cis- and trans-2- Olefin, wt% NMR 2
Parafin, wt % Calculated 0.2
API Gravity, 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D287 40.4
Specific Gravity (Solid), 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D287 0.823
Specific Gravity (liquid), 160F/60F (71C/15.6C) SM 350-4 *
Density, lb./gal., 60F (15.6C)   6.84
Congealing Point, F (C ) ASTM D938 *
Drop Melt Pint, F (C ) ASTM D127 134 (56.7)
Flash Point ASTM D93 *
Viscosity, 210F (99C)    
Kinematic, cSt ASTM D445 3.27
Saybolt, SUS ASTM D2161 *
Penetration, 0.10 mm, 77F (25C) ASTM D1321 63
Distillation, F © ASTM D1160/5mm  
IBP   *
5%   *
95%   *
EP   *
* = Data Incomplete To-Date

Alpha Olefin Fractions C30+

Characteristic Method Specification
Carbon Number, wt. %<C22, max. GLC 0.1
Carbon Number, wt. % C22, max GLC 1.0
Carbon Number, wt. % C24-28 max GLC 14.0
Carbon Number, wt. % C30+, max GLC 86.0
Color, Saybolt, min ASTM D156 0
Vioscosity, Kinematic, cSt, 210F (99C), max ASTM D445 10.0
Appearance ASTM D4176 Bright and Clear
Drop Melt Point, F (C ), min. ASTM D127 164 (73.3)
Additional Information Method Typical Value
n-Alpha Olefin, wt % NMR 55
Vinylidene, wt% NMR 40
Olefins, other than n-Alpha and Vinylidenes, wt. % NMR 5
Paraffin, wt % Calculated 0.6
API Gravity, 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D287 38.8
Specific Gravity (Solid), 60F/60F (15.6C/15.6C) ASTM D70 (Modified) 0.836
Specific Gravity (liquid), 160F/60F (71C/15.6C) SM 350-4 0.790
Density, lb./gal., 60F (15.6C)   6.95
Congealing Point, F (C ) ASTM D938 155 (68.3)
Flash Point ASTM D93 485 (252)
Viscosity, 210F (99C) ASTM D2161 52
Penetration, .10 mm ASTM D1321  
77F (25C)   13
100 F(37.8)   24
110 F (43.3)   34
Distillation, F © ASTM D1160/5mm  
IBP   204 (95.6)
5%   461 (238.3)
95%   643 (339.4)
EP   693 (367.2)