To start with, a wax emulsion Malaysia is a stable mixture of one or more waxes in water. Generally, wax emulsions are made by heating wax in hot, boiling water and mixing an emulsifier into it. A process called emulsification will occur and stabilize the mixture, causing the two matters that are normally insoluble with each other to blend otherwise into one semi liquid.
Wax emulsions are applied in paint, coating and ink applications. Some examples of its functions include corrosion protection, papers, coatings, and varnishes.
There are different types of waxes that are commonly used to be mixed into wax emulsions. Synthetic waxes such as polyethylene and polyamide are also used, but a lot of natural waxes can be used as a wax ingredient in wax emulsions.
Animal-Based
Beeswax
Beeswax is made of the honeycomb of a bee. Depending on its storage, the wax is crystalline in form and is hard when hot, but soft and pliable when cold. Heating it up to 105 celsius will turn it into surface foam. Beeswax is only soluble in most organic solvents such as acetone, ether and chloroform. Beeswax is used as medical ointments, candles, cosmetics and so on.
Lanolin
Lanolin is a yellow, waxy substance that is secreted by the glands of wooly mammals such as sheep, naturally produced to protect their wools. Lanolin is widely used for cosmetic and healthcare purposes including moisturizers, lotions, creams and makeup. It was also used in industrial products ranging from lubricants to rust-proof coatings.
Shellac
Shellac is a natural resin secreted by female lac bugs on trees in Indian and Thailand forests. It is a natural thermoplastic, which is soft and flows under pressure when heated but solidifies when placed at room temperatures. Among the useful properties of shellac are its UV resistance, incredibly adhesive, and can be easily recoated as the new patch of shellac melts into the old patch. It is an ingredient in many products such as sealing waxes, varnishes, hair sprays, and brush-on colorants. The alcoholic solution of shellac is also used as sealers, wood finishes, and cements.
Vegetable Based
Carnauba
Carnauba, also known as Brazil wax or palm wax, comes from the palm fronds of the Brazilian plant carbauna palm. Naturally yellow in color, carnauba has a very high melting point of 82 to 86 celsius, harder than concrete, waterproof and shiny enough to be polished to a high gloss. It is used as an automobile polish, dental floss coating, food preservative, and even wax coatings for fruits and vegetables.
Candelilla
Candelilla wax is a natural wax extracted from the leaves of a small shrub from the plant family of Euphorbiacae, which is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is harder when compared to beeswax and melts faster. If the name Candelilla brings a reminder of candles, it is because the name translates to “little candle” and its wax was first used as such. Candelilla is not only used as varnishes in painting products, it is also useful in beauty and skincare products such as lip balms, sunscreens and haircare. As a food additive, it is used as a glazing agent and binder for chewing gums, as well as a substitute to beeswax.
Jojoba
Jojoa is a liquid wax naturally derived from jojoba bushes and is mainly used in cosmetic products.
Mineral Based
Montan
Montan wax, also known as lignite or OP wax, is a hard wax obtained through the extraction of lignites and brown coal. A substitute for beeswax and carnauba, it is a high performing additive in the plastic industry as well as in engineering fields. Montan wax is suitable to be used as a coating and polishing wax in pharmaceutical products, lubricants, thickening agents, coating materials, shoe polishes and adhesives. Montan is easily emulsified and can be into sub divided into other waxes including ester, acid, partially saponified (formation of a metallic salt of a fatty acid) ester and saponified ester waxes.
Paraffin
Obtained from distilling or heating petroleum, paraffin is a solid, white or colorless soft wax that is used in skincare treatments as well as a pain reliever for sore joints and muscles. It is also used to make candles, stiffening agents in ointments, lubricants and electrical insulations.
Microcrystalline
Microcrystalline wax, like paraffin, also comes from petroleum, but through the de-oiling of the mineral. Unlike paraffin, it is darker, more viscous, denser, thicker and more elastic. Its elasticity and adhesive properties are attributed to its small and thin crystal structures and non-straight chain components. It is mainly used for healthcare and cosmetic purposes, as a thickener, reduces friction in sports equipment such as skis, adhesives and additives to other waxes. It also stores heat and used as an electrical insulation.