Industrial Raw Materials

Microcrystalline waxes are elastic and often "sticky" or "tacky". This is because of the high proportion of multi-branched hydrocarbon chains (iso-paraffins) as opposed to straight-branched chains (normals). While normal paraffins form large crystals, iso-normal paraffins form micro-crystals. These small crystals give an amorphous structure to the product making our Indramic products very flexible in contrast to the brittle nature of normal paraffins.

IRM Scale waxes differ from their paraffin counterparts due to a lower degree of refinement resulting in a higher oil content of 1.5% - 5.0%. The greater oil content increases the ability to manipulate the wax compared to the harder and more brittle paraffin wax family - still scale waxes have a negligible tensile strength. Melting points are between 122 and 145°F (50 - 63°C). Scale waxes of 124 to 126°F melting point are used in the match industry. Scale waxes of higher melting point are used in kraft paper industry, e.g. builder's papers, cement bag stock, roofing felt, car liners, and heavy kraft wrappings. Scale waxes of low oil content are required in the manufacture of crayons. Scale waxes are also used as a blend or as alone in making candles.

IRM's natural waxes, formulated using plant derived oils instead of petrochemicals, are commonly used in candle wax formulations. Our Indranat line of waxes can be mixed with paraffin and microcrystalline waxes to produce candle wax blends with varying melting points, textures, and burn time. Though hydrogenation soy oil is "transformed" into a solid which mimics the characteristics of beeswax. As a component of a wax blend, soy waxes impart characteristics such as lower melting point, higher malleability, and quicker burn times.

Petrolatum is derived from high-viscosity, paraffin-based crude oils. Petrolatums contain minute (or micro), crystalline waxes. Oil is occluded within and between these small crystals. Petrolatum contains both paraffinic and olefinic hydrocarbons; the olefinic hydrocarbons. Olefinic hydrocarbons give petrolatum its "slippery" (oleaginous) character.

Paraffin waxes are derived from crude oil during the production of light (distillate) lubricating oils. These waxes are categorized by oil content and the degree of refinement. The crudest versions fall into the slack wax category and contain between 5% to 20% oil. Next on the step of refinement are scale waxes containing between 0.5% to 5% oil. The highest grade of refinement is the fully refined wax. Fully refined paraffin waxes contain less then 0.5% (0.8% for the high welted products) oil and have been hydro-treated or clay treated to remove impurities and decolorarion . The resulting waxes are water clear, odor free, and normally food grade. Semi refined paraffins contain between 0.5 and 1.5% oil. Below we give the usual melting point ranges of our fully and semi-refined paraffins. For other characteristics (penetration, color, viscosity) please call our sales staff to identify the best fit for your application.

IRM Scale waxes differ from their paraffin counterparts due to a lower degree of refinement resulting in a higher oil content of 1.5% - 5.0%. The greater oil content increases the ability to manipulate the wax compared to the harder and more brittle paraffin wax family - still scale waxes have a negligible tensile strength. Melting points are between 122 and 145°F (50 - 63°C). Scale waxes of 124 to 126°F melting point are used in the match industry. Scale waxes of higher melting point are used in kraft paper industry, e.g. builder's papers, cement bag stock, roofing felt, car liners, and heavy kraft wrappings. Scale waxes of low oil content are required in the manufacture of crayons. Scale waxes are also used as a blend or as alone in making candles.

Microcrystalline waxes are elastic and often "sticky" or "tacky". This is because of the high proportion of multi-branched hydrocarbon chains (iso-paraffins) as opposed to straight-branched chains (normals). While normal paraffins form large crystals, iso-normal paraffins form micro-crystals. These small crystals give an amorphous structure to the product making our Indramic products very flexible in contrast to the brittle nature of normal paraffins.

IRM Synthetic waxes are produced by the Fischer-Tropsch process. This process converts natural gas, coal or other carbon rich stock into long chain paraffins. Fischer-Tropsch waxes are very hard, high melting, and white products, free of any aromatic impurities. They consist mainly of saturated, long straight-chain hydrocarbons with only a small number of iso-alkanes (methyl branches). Their high linearity and sharp carbon distribution produce a narrow melt range, making these waxes highly versatile for wax formulation. The oil content of synthetic waxes is very low and consists mainly of short-chain paraffins.

Microcrystalline waxes are elastic and often "sticky" or "tacky". This is because of the high proportion of multi-branched hydrocarbon chains (iso-paraffins) as opposed to straight-branched chains (normals). While normal paraffins form large crystals, iso-normal paraffins form micro-crystals. These small crystals give an amorphous structure to the product making our Indramic products very flexible in contrast to the brittle nature of normal paraffins.