Definition of Slack Wax and expression of its use

(slack wax)

Slack wax is one of the by-products in the process of converting lube cut into base oil of slack wax. Indeed, in this process firstly the aromatic compounds are separated from lube cut using solvent and the resulting product is called raffinate. After that, in the second step, the paraffinic compounds will be separated from the raffinate to change into base oil. In this step, a by-product called slack wax will be created, which is the feed of the paraffin making units.

The amount of oil can change from 5% to 30%, and they will use the solvent extraction method to remove aromatics, and also the final product of raffinate during the production of raw materials. Then, the raffinate will be diluted with a solvent such as Methyl Ethyl Ketone (Mek) to reduce its viscosity and make it less treatable at low temperatures.

After the above steps, the diluted oil will be cooled from -10 to -20° C. The wax crystals are extracted by filtration and the extracted wax is called slack wax, which is the raw material of paraffin, and is yellow or brown. This material will be processed by being compressed to reduce the amount of oil and change the color using bleaching powders for producing paraffin.

Petroleum waxes can be divided into three categories using the raw materials that will be obtained from it.

Paraffin type waxes

This type of wax is produced from raw materials with a low boiling point and most of its constituent compounds are created from hydrocarbons of normal paraffin. Most of the branched hydrocarbons (if any) are from isoparaffins type. The hydrocarbons that makes the wax have 20 to 40 carbon molecules and their molecular mass varies among 280 to 560. Also, they are solid at normal temperature and its viscosity is 35 to 45 sus at 100 ° C, and its crystals are in the form of needles or plates.

Petrolatum type waxes

If waxing is done on the remaining distillation materials, the resulting wax is called petrolatum. Its crystals are smaller than the previous two types and they will keep some oil in them so that they usually take a gelatinous state.

Its molecular mass is around 560 to 980 and its melting point is also between 55-85 ° C. When they intend to spread petrolatum without using solvent and heat, they will use petrolatum emulsified in water. For this purpose, a mixture of wax melted in hot water should be prepared using an emulsifier such as Triethanolamine (TEA).

Microcrystalline type waxes

Microcrystalline waxes are produced by waxing heavy raw materials (raw materials that have  high boiling point). Its crystals are finer than paraffin types, and its molecular mass is around 450 to 800, and the number of carbon compounds that make it will be among 32 to 57.

Microcrystal waxes will combine better with sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and sulfonic acid compared to paraffin, and the reason for this combination is the existent of hydrogen on carbon of the third type. Oxidized types of these waxes will be used in the production industry of floor wax (POLISH). It is also used as a suspension pigment in the production of paint.

Application of slack wax

• In the textile industry, insulation and glass wool
• Use of slack wax in paraffin wax emulsions as glue and waterproof in artificial forests
• Making various industrial products such as candles, ink, matches, polish, carbon paper
• Producing all kinds of paraffin, vaseline, insulation, tarpaulin making, wax emulsions
• A waterproof material for making products such as matches and cables and other items such as inks, polishes, etc.

Slack wax processing

Slack wax created by distillation is produced by cooling and pressing. This product will be exclusively de-oiled by a process called “sweating”. This process includes separation with melting and will have a smaller melting range.

Nowadays, by slowly increasing the temperature of solid wax, the oily parts with the lowest melting point will be removed first. Then following this process, the wax will have a richer wax with a higher successive melting range and lower oil content. Upon completion of the sweating operation, the remainder of slack wax and also solid paraffin will be created with a low melting point and less oil.

This process is done in hot chambers that will be in sweating mode. At 1/3 or ½ of the height of the pan, a wire gauze will be installed horizontally. Most pipe coils for cold and hot water circulation are installed on the top of the chamber and the melt will be directed into the sweat container, and its temperature in the upper part of the container will go below the melting point.

Packaging slack wax

As mentioned above, slack wax is one of the petroleum products and it is a raw material of paraffin wax. Companies usually package and sell slack wax in bulk sizes, IBC tanks, and new steel drums. Sometimes used drums will be used for packaging to reduce the cost and sometimes at the request of the customer. It will be processed using special powders after heating to produce paraffin to change the color.

Different types of slack wax will be used as a compounder and also waterproofing insulator and for manufacturing various industrial products. Unlike waxes, which are completely refined and depends on the type of product, they have oil content from 5 to 30%.

This material is also used as a by-product for producing lubricating oils and can be used as a productive force in many industrial processes. This product can also be mixed, blended or even refined more.

Slack wax sales price

For informing about the price of this product, you can contact the experts of Arash Mahya Paraffin manufacturing Company (Armaco).

Purchasing Slack Wax

Arash Mahia Paraffin Manufacturing Company (Armaco) has the ability to meet the requirements of dear customers in the field of supplying this product. You can contact our commercial group to know the manner of supplying and purchasing details.