How Polyethylene Wax Improves Plastic Product Surface Gloss

Polyethylene wax is a rather versatile product with applications ranging from coatings and inks to hot melt adhesives. It is utilized in the textile industry, the printing industry, and all sorts of manufacturing. It's pretty common for manufacturers to use it to improve the surface gloss of their plastic products.

Improved surface gloss is often accompanied by a smoother overall finish. This offers both aesthetic and functional benefits depending on the specific product. Regardless, the versatility polyethylene wax brings to bear makes it a valuable additive in plastics manufacturing and fabricating.

Here is how it improves plastic product surface gloss:

1. Surface Migration

Plastic manufacturing involves a number of processing and cooling procedures. Throughout these procedures, polyethylene wax tends to migrate to the surface. The end result is a thin, waxy layer on the product's exterior, a layer that enhances both smoothness and gloss.

Service migration is made possible by polyethylene wax's thixotropy. Throughout the various processing and cooling procedures, the material actually becomes less viscous. This is what causes the migration.

2. Lubrication

Polyethylene wax also acts as a lubricant during the manufacturing process. Consider manufacturing via injection molding or extrusion. The wax lubricates the material as it is being forced into a mold or die. This reduces friction, allowing the molten plastic to flow more easily. The lubricating effect results in a smoother finish and a higher gloss.

 3. Pigment Dispersion

Next up is pigment dispersion. As an additive in color masterbatches or compounds, polyethylene wax has the unique capability of dispersing pigments more uniformly. Achieving uniform color in plastic products is largely the domain of this particular wax. Polyethylene wax can create a more glossy finish thanks to uniform pigmentation.

4. Microcrystal Formation

Sometimes, the objective is to create the appearance of gloss through light reflection and scattering. Manipulating how light reflects off a surface impacts how it's perceived by the human eye. Polyethylene wax contributes to this function with the formation of microcrystals.

As a plastic product cools, these microcrystals form on the surface. The microcrystals alone improve the perception of gloss. But when combined with uniform pigmentation and a smoother surface, the effect is enhanced dramatically.

5. Surface Defect Reduction

Surface defects can detract from the perception of gloss. That's why abrasive surfaces have a flatter look to them. But thanks to polyethylene wax's lubricating capabilities, surface defects can be minimized during plastic manufacturing and fabrication.

Adding polyethylene wax can significantly reduce the orange peel effect. It can minimize the appearance of flow lines during processing. Both issues can detract from gloss, so prohibiting them increases gloss.

6. Polishing

Some applications rely on polyethylene wax to act as a polishing agent. Just as with polishing any other kind of surface, polishing a plastic surface gives it a higher gloss. The combination of reduced surface defects and effective polishing make a big difference in final product appearance.

7. Reduced Mold Extraction Resistance

Finally, plastic products manufactured with molds can resist extraction. In other words, the products stick to the molds. Polyethylene wax addresses that problem through its lubricating and service migration properties. Parts release from their molds more easily, thereby reducing surface imperfections that would otherwise reduce the perception of gloss.

When a plastic product requires a smooth, glossy finish, one way to achieve it is to add polyethylene wax to the mix. Polyethylene wax brings a number of key properties into play, properties that both reduce imperfections and increase gloss perception. If you would like to know more about polyethylene wax and how it could enhance your plastic manufacturing, don't hesitate to contact us.