Microcrystalline Wax
Microcrystalline wax is commonly used in cosmetics and candles, but it can also be used as a blending ingredient to increase flexibility, viscosity and hardness in other products. It can vary in color from white to amber and ranges in texture from soft and tacky to hard and brittle, depending on the grade of microcrystalline.
| MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS | |||||
| BW-408 | BW-429 | BW-430 | BW-431 | BW-405 | |
| Congealing Point
(D-938) |
140°F-150°F | 155°F-165°F | 155°F-163°F | 164°F-172°F | 190°F-204°F |
| Drop Melt Point
(D-127) |
155°F-165°F | 165°F-175°F | 170°F-180°F | 175°F-185°F | 190°F-204°F |
| Color (Visual) | White to Off White | Light Yellow to Amber | White to Off White | White to Off White | White to Off White |
| Oil Content (D-721) | 1.5% Max | 1.5% Max | 1.5% Max | 1.0% Max | 2.0% Max |
| Needle Penetration (D-1321) 0.1 mm @ 77°F0.1 mm @ 100°F |
80 – 130 200 – 250 |
22 – 30 80 – 112 |
20 – 30 85 – 110 |
6 – 12 18 – 44 |
5 – 10
|
Microcrystalline wax is commonly used in cosmetics and candles, but it can also be used as a blending ingredient to increase flexibility, thickness and hardness in other products. It can vary in color from white to amber and ranges in texture from soft and tacky to hard and brittle, depending on the grade of microcrystalline.
Other uses include:
- Candles
- Laminations
- Adhesives
- Cosmetics
- Lubricants
- Novelty blends
- Beehive coatings
- Pomades
What is Microcrystalline Wax?
Have you ever wondered what exactly Microcrystalline Wax is? How is it used? What makes it different from Paraffin Wax? Keep reading to learn more about Microcrystalline Wax.
Just like Paraffin Wax, Microcrystalline is derived from crude oil. However, what makes it unique is that it is de-oiled during the refining process.
The color of Microcrystalline Wax varies greatly from brown to yellow and even to white. The color is dependent on how refined the wax is.
Microcrystalline is also different from Paraffin in that it has finer crystals which makes it a harder wax with a higher melt point and weight. It’s also much more flexible than Paraffin, making it a great type of wax to use in Cheese Wax and Duck Wax.
Some of the more common uses for Microcrystalline Wax are:
- Cosmetics
- Candle Making
- Food Coating
- Lamination
- Adhesives
- Sculpting
Microcrystalline wax is also used as an additive to create opacity, hardness and flexibility.
3 Uses For Microcrystalline Wax
Microcrystalline wax is a petroleum wax derived from crude oil. It is de-oiled during the refining process, meaning the oil is removed leaving wax behind. Paraffin wax is also derived from crude oil, but it isn’t as flexible as microcrystalline wax.
The color of this wax ranges from brown to white depending on how refined the wax is. Microcrystalline wax is usually used as an additive in wax blends to increase opacity, hardness and flexibility. Learn about some uses for microcrystalline waxes:
1. Cosmetics
Microcrystalline wax is added to a variety of cosmetics, including creams and lotions, waterproof mascara, pressed powder, lipstick and eyeliner. In creams and lotions, the wax is used as a viscosity builder. Adding microcrystalline wax to mascara gives it water repelling properties. In pressed powder, microcrystalline wax acts as a binder and adds softness to the product. The hardness of microcrystalline wax gives eyeliner pencils and lipsticks structure to prevent them from crumbling with use.
2. Sports
Microcrystalline wax is essential for ice hockey players and snowboarders. This wax is applied to the friction tape used on ice hockey sticks to prevent the tape from disintegrating when it gets wet. The tackiness of microcrystalline wax also helps increase puck control.
Snowboarders use microcrystalline wax on the underside of their snowboards to reduce friction and increase the gliding ability of the board. The wax makes it easier to control the board, too.
3. Adhesives
The tacky qualities of microcrystalline wax makes for a great adhesive! Microcrystalline wax is used in bookbinding, carton and case sealing, carpet binders and backings, and container labeling.
| MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS | |||||
| BW-408 | BW-429 | BW-430 | BW-431 | BW-405 | |
| Congealing Point
(D-938) |
140°F-150°F | 155°F-165°F | 155°F-163°F | 164°F-172°F | 190°F-204°F |
| Drop Melt Point
(D-127) |
155°F-165°F | 165°F-175°F | 170°F-180°F | 175°F-185°F | 190°F-204°F |
| Color (Visual) | White to Off White | Light Yellow to Amber | White to Off White | White to Off White | White to Off White |
| Oil Content (D-721) | 1.5% Max | 1.5% Max | 1.5% Max | 1.0% Max | 2.0% Max |
| Needle Penetration (D-1321) 0.1 mm @ 77°F0.1 mm @ 100°F |
80 – 130 200 – 250 |
22 – 30 80 – 112 |
20 – 30 85 – 110 |
6 – 12 18 – 44 |
5 – 10
|
Microcrystalline wax is commonly used in cosmetics and candles, but it can also be used as a blending ingredient to increase flexibility, thickness and hardness in other products. It can vary in color from white to amber and ranges in texture from soft and tacky to hard and brittle, depending on the grade of microcrystalline.
Other uses include:
- Candles
- Laminations
- Adhesives
- Cosmetics
- Lubricants
- Novelty blends
- Beehive coatings
- Pomades
What is Microcrystalline Wax?
Have you ever wondered what exactly Microcrystalline Wax is? How is it used? What makes it different from Paraffin Wax? Keep reading to learn more about Microcrystalline Wax.
Just like Paraffin Wax, Microcrystalline is derived from crude oil. However, what makes it unique is that it is de-oiled during the refining process.
The color of Microcrystalline Wax varies greatly from brown to yellow and even to white. The color is dependent on how refined the wax is.
Microcrystalline is also different from Paraffin in that it has finer crystals which makes it a harder wax with a higher melt point and weight. It’s also much more flexible than Paraffin, making it a great type of wax to use in Cheese Wax and Duck Wax.
Some of the more common uses for Microcrystalline Wax are:
- Cosmetics
- Candle Making
- Food Coating
- Lamination
- Adhesives
- Sculpting
Microcrystalline wax is also used as an additive to create opacity, hardness and flexibility.
3 Uses For Microcrystalline Wax
Microcrystalline wax is a petroleum wax derived from crude oil. It is de-oiled during the refining process, meaning the oil is removed leaving wax behind. Paraffin wax is also derived from crude oil, but it isn’t as flexible as microcrystalline wax.
The color of this wax ranges from brown to white depending on how refined the wax is. Microcrystalline wax is usually used as an additive in wax blends to increase opacity, hardness and flexibility. Learn about some uses for microcrystalline waxes:
1. Cosmetics
Microcrystalline wax is added to a variety of cosmetics, including creams and lotions, waterproof mascara, pressed powder, lipstick and eyeliner. In creams and lotions, the wax is used as a viscosity builder. Adding microcrystalline wax to mascara gives it water repelling properties. In pressed powder, microcrystalline wax acts as a binder and adds softness to the product. The hardness of microcrystalline wax gives eyeliner pencils and lipsticks structure to prevent them from crumbling with use.
2. Sports
Microcrystalline wax is essential for ice hockey players and snowboarders. This wax is applied to the friction tape used on ice hockey sticks to prevent the tape from disintegrating when it gets wet. The tackiness of microcrystalline wax also helps increase puck control.
Snowboarders use microcrystalline wax on the underside of their snowboards to reduce friction and increase the gliding ability of the board. The wax makes it easier to control the board, too.
3. Adhesives
The tacky qualities of microcrystalline wax makes for a great adhesive! Microcrystalline wax is used in bookbinding, carton and case sealing, carpet binders and backings, and container labeling.