Processing — Process Challenge

Polyethylene Wax (Lubricant & Dispersant)

PVC compounders and color/masterbatch houses use low-molecular-weight PE wax as an external lubricant and pigment-dispersion aid to cut melt torque, improve flow and raise line throughput, bought by the supersack, distinct from base polyethylene resin.
Updated Jun 2026
Solution Approach

RawSource supplies the base chemicals that go into these programs. We can help with product selection, grade matching, and sourcing from multiple origins for supply security.

Typical Formulation Workflow
1
Polymer & Process Definition
Identify the resin and process (extrusion, molding, film) and the targets — thermal stability, clarity, flame retardance, slip, or color.
2
Additive Selection
Match stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, lubricants, flame retardants, or masterbatch carriers to the polymer and processing temperatures.
3
Compounding Trial
Confirm loading and dispersion on a compounding or molding trial, checking processability, mechanicals, and aesthetics against the control.
4
Validation & Scale-Up
Verify long-term performance (heat aging, migration, weathering) and lock the formulation, packaging, and lot specs for production.
Recommended Chemistries (5)
Polyethylene wax (low-molecular-weight)
CAS 9002-88-4
Polymers & Resins
Thickening / Rheology
Short PE chains act as an external lubricant, migrating to the metal interface to reduce melt-wall friction and torque and raise throughput (low-MW wax grade is distinct from the PE resin and is sourced on demand)
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Oxidized polyethylene wax
CAS 68441-17-8
Polar carbonyl/carboxyl groups improve pigment wetting and dispersion in masterbatch and color concentrates (source on demand)
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Fischer-Tropsch wax
Narrow chain-length synthetic paraffin with a sharp melting point; low-viscosity flow promoter and dispersant aid (source on demand)
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Montan ester wax
CAS 8002-53-7
Lignite-derived ester wax giving combined internal/external lubrication with high thermal stability for rigid PVC (source on demand)
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Paraffin Wax
CAS 8002-74-2
Specialty Additives
Surfactancy
Related hydrocarbon external lubricant that a lower-cost flow aid for PVC compounding
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