Industry Applications
What are the Roles of Polyethylene Wax in the Leather Industry?
1. Improving Surface Gloss:
It has an effective matting effect, the degree of which depends on the particle fineness of the dispersed polyethylene wax and its ability to migrate to the surface of the coating film.
2. Scratch Resistance, Wear Resistance, Anti-Polishing, and Anti-Stamping:
One factor in enhancing friction and scratch resistance is reducing the friction coefficient of the coating surface, making objects tend to slide rather than scratch when contacting the coating. In this regard, polyethylene wax functions similarly to silicone oil, with the difference that the former exists as fine dispersed particles on the coating surface. Only a small amount is needed to achieve scratch resistance.
Adding polyethylene wax to coatings can significantly reduce the tendency to be polished by friction, maintaining the durability of low gloss, which is often crucial in applications.
3. Anti-blocking Property:
Some workpieces, such as wooden or metal objects, often need to be stacked shortly after coating. Advances in printing technology also require inks to prevent smudging of printed products.
4. Anti-settling, Anti-sagging, and Thixotropy:
Polyethylene wax, when dispersed in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, can enhance the anti-settling properties of coatings and inks. It also exhibits varying degrees of thixotropy, anti-sagging properties, and positioning effects on metallic pigments.
In addition, polyethylene wax plays a significant role in genuine leather polishing. The leather polishing process is divided into three steps: rough polishing, medium polishing, and fine polishing. To achieve good performance, high-quality polishing wax must be selected.
