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PE Wax vs Oxidized PE Wax: How to Choose

Name: HY-1000 Polyethylene Wax
Brand: Heyee Chem
SKU: HY-1000
Availability: InStock

Choosing the wrong one is one of the most common causes of a failed wax trial. The difference is a single number — acid value — and it decides whether your wax will emulsify, whether it will stay in a PVC matrix, and whether it lubricates internally or externally.

1. The one number that matters: acid value

Oxidation introduces carboxyl and hydroxyl groups onto the polyethylene chain. The concentration of those groups is reported as the acid value in mg KOH/g.

Unoxidised PE wax (HY-1000) — acid value nil. Fully non-polar.
Oxidised PE wax (OPE, e.g. HY-OPE-16 series) — acid value typically 15–25 mg KOH/g. Polar, and therefore emulsifiable and compatible with polar resins.

Everything else in this comparison follows from that.

2. Property comparison

Property	Unoxidised PE Wax (HY-1000)	Oxidised PE Wax (OPE)
Acid value (mg KOH/g)	Nil	15–25
Polarity	Non-polar	Polar
Emulsifiable	No	Yes
Water-based systems	Not suitable	Suitable
PVC compatibility	Limited — external lubricant only	Good — internal + external lubrication
Lubrication type	External (metal release)	Internal and external
Hardness / abrasion resistance	Higher at equal molecular weight	Lower
Melting point at equal Mn	Higher	Lower
Pigment / filler affinity	Good for organic pigments and carbon black	Better for inorganic pigments and polar fillers
Blooming risk in PVC	Present if over-dosed	Much lower
Typical use	Masterbatch, powder coating, cable, HMA, polish	PVC internal lubrication, water-based coatings, emulsions

3. One-minute decision tree

Is the system water-based? → Oxidised PE wax. An unoxidised wax cannot be emulsified, full stop.
Is the matrix polar (PVC, PA, PC, PET)? → Usually oxidised, especially if you need internal lubrication or high loading without blooming. Unoxidised works as an external lubricant at 0.5–1 phr in rigid PVC.
Is the matrix non-polar (PE, PP, EVA)? → Unoxidised. You get higher hardness, higher softening point and better abrasion resistance at lower cost.
Do you need maximum hardness, scratch resistance or gloss durability? → Unoxidised.
Do you need the wax to stay put and not migrate? → Oxidised.

4. What happens if you choose wrong

Using unoxidised PE wax in a water-based system — the wax will not form a stable emulsion. You get separation, seeding and inconsistent surface properties. There is no formulation trick around it; you need an oxidised grade.

Using unoxidised PE wax as an internal PVC lubricant — limited compatibility means the wax migrates to the surface. Symptoms are plate-out on the die, poor printing or welding of the finished profile, and blooming in storage. Keep to 0.5–1 phr and treat it as an external lubricant.

Using oxidised PE wax where hardness is the requirement — you lose abrasion resistance and softening point. In powder coatings and polishes this shows up as poorer scratch resistance and reduced gloss durability.

5. Application-by-application recommendation

Application	Recommended type	Notes
Colour masterbatch (PE/PP carrier)	Unoxidised — HY-1000	Low viscosity wets pigment fast; non-polar carrier is a good match
Rigid PVC pipe & profile — external lubrication	Unoxidised at 0.5–1 phr, or oxidised for internal + external balance	Many formulations use both
PVC high-filler / high-loading systems	Oxidised	Better filler wetting and lower blooming risk
Powder coatings	Unoxidised — HY-1000	Degassing, hardness, anti-scratch; whiteness matters
Solvent-borne & UV inks and coatings	Unoxidised, micronised	Rub resistance and slip
Water-based inks and coatings	Oxidised (or a ready-made wax emulsion)	Emulsifiability required
Floor polish, leather & car care emulsions	Oxidised	Emulsion-based systems
Hot-melt adhesives	Unoxidised — HY-1000	Viscosity control with heat retention
Cable compounds	Unoxidised — HY-1000	External lubrication, scorch prevention
Candles & polishes (hot-melt, non-aqueous)	Unoxidised — HY-1000	Hardness and gloss
Investment casting wax	Unoxidised — HY-1000	Softening point and dimensional stability
Textile softening emulsions	Oxidised	Water-based application

6. Both from one supplier

Zibo Heyee Fine Chemical supplies both families: HY-1000 unoxidised polyethylene wax (Mn ≈ 1000, high whiteness, high hardness, low branching) and the HY-OPE-16 / 16A / 16B / 16C oxidised polyethylene wax range for PVC and water-based systems. If you are unsure which your formulation needs, send the base resin, the current wax grade and the processing conditions — a recommendation with sample follows.

Request HY-1000 TDS & Free Sample

HY-1000 is supplied as prill, flake or micronized powder (D50 5–8 µm / 15–25 µm) in 25 kg bags or 1000 kg jumbo bags, FOB Qingdao.

Samples ship within 1–3 days with COA & MSDS. Contact brianwang@heyeechem.com or WhatsApp +86-159-4288-5699.

7. FAQ

What is oxidised polyethylene wax?

Oxidised polyethylene wax (OPE wax) is PE wax that has been oxidised to introduce carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups, giving an acid value typically of 15–25 mg KOH/g. The polar groups make it emulsifiable and compatible with polar polymers such as PVC, which unoxidised PE wax is not.

Can you emulsify unoxidised polyethylene wax?

No. Without polar functional groups the wax has no affinity for water and cannot form a stable emulsion. Emulsifiable grades are always oxidised, or supplied already emulsified by the manufacturer.

Is oxidised PE wax better than unoxidised PE wax?

Neither is universally better — they solve different problems. Oxidised wax is required for water-based systems and for internal lubrication of PVC. Unoxidised wax gives higher hardness, a higher softening point and better abrasion resistance at equal molecular weight, and is the correct choice for non-polar systems such as polyolefin masterbatch, powder coatings and hot-melt adhesives.

What acid value do I need for emulsification?

Typically 15–25 mg KOH/g. Below about 10 the emulsion is difficult to stabilise; above roughly 30 the wax becomes increasingly polar and loses hardness and softening point.

Can I blend unoxidised and oxidised PE wax?

Yes, and it is common practice, particularly in rigid PVC, where a blend balances external lubrication and metal release against compatibility and internal lubrication. Start from your current single-grade loading and split it, then re-optimise on torque and surface finish.

Does oxidation affect colour?

Oxidation tends to shift the wax slightly towards yellow and lowers hardness and softening point. If your application is colour-critical — white masterbatch, light-colour powder coatings — specify whiteness and check ΔE against your standard, and prefer a high-whiteness unoxidised grade where the chemistry allows.