Extracted during the transformation of slack wax into paraffin wax, residue wax is distinguished through a notable oil content, which exists in either a liquid or semi-solid state at ambient temperatures. Its composition, rich in oil, gives the substance properties highly valued across various industry sectors. The reliability of residue wax, due to these unique characteristics, enable its widespread application in fields ranging from manufacturing robust industrial lubricants to the delicate balance required in cosmetic formulations. In this article, we will go through this substance and review it from various perspectives. We will discuss its grades, production process, and potential applications. Keep reading and learn more.
Before beginning our informative article about residue wax, we will introduce to you a reliable residue wax provider in the international market. JAM Group Co. is regarded as a leading manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of residue wax. Their extensive range shows an array of residue wax grades, each carefully produced with specific purity levels to meet the nuanced requirements of various industrial applications. This customization reflects the company’s sophisticated manufacturing capabilities and the deep expertise of its professional team, which is committed to upholding the highest quality standards. JAM Group Co.’s commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through its advanced production facilities, where the focus on manufacturing residue wax solutions aligns with customer demands. To find out more about this company and its products, we highly recommend looking at the About Us page.
What is Residue Wax?
In producing paraffin wax, a by-product emerges: residue wax or foots oil. This substance is derived from the deoiling phase of slack wax and is divided into two different streams: one will be for the wax (product wax) to be further refined, and the other will be for the extracted oil (foots oil), usually used for catalytic crackers. Residue wax contains a high content of about 50% oil; hence, the matter exhibits a liquid to semi-solid state. The brown color and strong smell can help in emphasizing its identity as a by-product.
However, due to the high oil content, the properties are an advantageous option for industrial lubrication. This makes the material useful in many applications, such as plastics, textiles, footwear, and cosmetics, since it is not toxic, does not smell, and does not go rancid while it is left on a shelf. Moreover, residue wax is one of the crucial products in the matches industry since it contains a substantial amount of oil and has an entirely different brown color.
Different Grades of Residue Wax
Residue wax is divided into different grades, which differ by their properties and compositional nuances. These make it possible to manufacture each grade of the substance to meet the precise requirements of its intended use, thus tailoring applications across different industries. Among the primary factors that influence these classifications are:
- Oil Content: The wax relies mostly on its oil content at a percentage by weight of between 25-50%. Waxes with higher oil content will be softer and more pliable, whereas lower oil content makes a firmer product.
- Form: Residue Wax comes in any form, from slab solid to a more fluid consistency, varying its handling and melting properties to cater to specific industrial needs, from manufacturing to lubrication.
- Congealing Point: The temperature at which wax changes from liquid to solid state, usually expressed in degrees Celsius; this is crucial in establishing the conditions for storage and application.
- Color: The color of residue wax ranges from light to dark brown, which shows the level of refinement with an indication of probable impurities.
- Kinematic viscosity at 100°C represents the measure of how the wax offers resistance to flow at high temperatures, giving an idea of its performance under thermal stress and suitability for processes developed at high temperatures.
Together, these factors define the quality and usefulness of the grades of residue wax and guide industries in selecting an appropriate grade for their specific uses. In the following section, you can read more about the available grades of this substance in the international market.
The Light Grade of Residue Wax
This grade is characterized by its refined properties and is customized for applications requiring a fine balance of physical properties. Its oil content is kept in a carefully balanced weight percentage of 25% to 40%. It has a moderate congealing point of 40°C, showing an even transition from liquid to solid. This property may be important for organisms in an environment where temperature must be well-conserved. Maxed at 3.9, the color specification suggests a relatively light hue. Furthermore, this relates to effective kinematic viscosities between 3.6 and 4.6 cSt at 100°C and efficient flows under thermal conditions most appropriate for processing temperatures of such processes.
The Medium Grade of Residue Wax
Medium grade of residue wax provides, to say the least, a compromise among the different levels of qualities and properties of wax grades required by a wide spectrum of industrial applications. This grade contains 25% to 50% of oil, allowing for a malleable yet substantial consistency that would be ideal for sectors requiring medium pliancy and adherence. Positioned at a congealing point of 25°C, this will give a lower threshold for solidification, appropriate for environments in which softer wax is desired. The intensity of color, within the parameters from 3.8 to 4.4, allows for a moderate shade that may please the eyes but not be too saturated and piercing. The kinematic viscosity at 100°C lies in the range of 4.7 to 6.9 cSt, ensuring a good rate of the fluidity of the oil grade at higher temperatures; hence, it can be used within a process where a definite range of viscosity is involved.
The Heavy Grade of Residue Wax
This grade has a robust set of properties for the most demanding of applications. The oil content of the heavy grade is perfectly balanced between 25% and 50%, which ensures that neither the stiffness for practical use is too high nor that fluid consistency can’t be achieved. Its congealing point, with a set value of 25°C, further facilitates ease in manipulative handling even under cooler conditions, allowing its use in different industrial sectors. There is a general allowance to the class of a color range from 4.5 to 6.5—a color deep enough to exhibit noticeable oil content but not so deep that it impairs the function or retards its operation in other applications. Further, the high-end kinematic viscosity placed at 7-11.5 cSt at 100°C represents excellent characteristics for flow under heat. It is best applied in high-temperature work or under wax demand with high resistance towards thermomechanical degradation.
Residue Wax Production Process
As mentioned, residue wax is a derivative procured during the refinement of slack wax, a phase integral to the production of paraffin wax. This by-product surfaces from either the deoiling or sweating processes, where slack wax is treated carefully to separate the more valuable paraffin wax, leaving behind residue wax with its characteristic higher oil content. You can read more about this production process in the following paragraphs.
The First Stage: Collection of Slack Wax
Residue wax is obtained during the manufacture of lubricating oils, such as slack wax. From this process of dewaxing emerges what is called semi-refined wax, a delicate process where the oil is cooled to the temperature that crystallizes the wax. Upon crystallizing, the wax is carefully separated from the oil, marking the first step toward its transformation into residue wax. This stage is vital because it ensures the collection of slack wax at its most usable form. This stage lays the foundational block for the subsequent stages of residue wax production.
The Second Stage: De-Oiling of Slack Wax
The most essential phase for the production of residue wax is the de-oiling phase of slack wax, which serves as the precursor to making paraffin wax. This phase is designed to reduce the oil content present in the slack wax, thereby increasing the solidification during the production of paraffin wax. The two major methods of the transformation process are solvent extraction and sweating.
- In solvent extraction, the solvents shall be brought into contact with slack wax to dissolve oil components from the wax and separate them.
- Sweating entails the application of gentle heat to slack wax, whereby oil separation takes place slowly.
Separation then causes the oil to drip away, leaving more concentrated wax behind. This deliberate lowering of the oil content is a rather basic step in setting up the stage where the following refinement of paraffin wax occurs. Thus, slack wax is refined into a product of increased usefulness and value by these processes.
The Third Stage: Collection of Residue Wax
After the extraction of the paraffin wax, the process goes through an important stage where the rest of the materials that are enriched with oil content get transformed into what is known as residue wax or foots oil. Characteristically different from the earlier by-product, this residue typically contains oil at the rate of 25-50% by weight. It presents a more fluid state that enhances its ability to adapt across various industrial landscapes. It is critically important to yield a residue that is, though still wax-rich, much softer on account of the increased oil. This property makes its composition very versatile, meaning it can be used for many purposes.
The Fourth Stage: Refining and Finishing
This stage focuses on refinement and finishing—another crucial process tailor-made to perfect the wax quality for its application. There may be additional purification steps in this phase, such as filtration to eliminate particulates further, centrifugation, separation of wax from leftover solvents or liquids, and chemical treatments that aim to stabilize the properties of the wax and remove impurities. All this is done through elaborate processes necessary to bring the desired characteristics and quality of the residue wax to specification, which must conform to given requirements by various industries.
The Fifth Stage: Packaging and Distribution
When ready, the residue wax is prepared for the market, initiating with packaging. From there, the wax is distributed to serve various industry sectors, namely rubber manufacturing, textile production, cosmetic production, and many more. This final stage of packaging and distribution ensures the smooth transition of residue wax from production facilities to its practical applications worldwide, supplying businesses with a product ready to be integrated into their manufacturing processes or product lines.
Residue Wax Applications
The inherent oily composition of residue wax enhances its utility as an efficient lubricant in industrial settings and contributes to its affordability and adaptability. All of these properties make the substance an ideal alternative for many industrial uses. Its application extends across diverse sectors such as plastics, textiles, footwear, and cosmetics, where it is valued not just for its functional benefits but also for its odorless nature, extended shelf life, and non-hazardous properties. Following this introduction, a detailed exploration of its significant applications will reveal how residue wax has become a vital resource in the industry.
In Match Making
In the specialized field of matchstick production, residue wax is critical, enhancing both the manufacturing process and the end product’s performance. Due to its perfect viscosity and combustibility blend, residue wax is applied to the matchsticks’ wooden bodies, ensuring a consistent burn rate and improving ignition reliability. This application facilitates the seamless production of matches by enabling smoother machine operation and significantly enhances the safety and efficacy of the matches themselves.
As a Lubricant
Residue Wax is also regarded as a lubricant in various industrial settings, showing its versatility and efficiency. Thanks to its inherent oily composition, it is an excellent medium for reducing friction between mechanical parts, thereby extending the lifespan of machinery and equipment. This application is helpful in industries where equipment maintenance is crucial for operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Residue Wax’s lubricating properties are due to its balanced blend of oil content, which allows for smooth application and durable performance under a range of temperature conditions.
As a Hydrophobic-Impregnation Material
Residue Wax is considered an exceptional hydrophobia-impregnation material, too. It leverages its water-repellent properties to safeguard various surfaces and materials against moisture intrusion. This application is invaluable in the construction and textile industries, where it imparts enhanced durability and longevity to materials by creating a protective barrier that repels water. The effectiveness of residue wax in this role can be attributed to its unique chemical composition, which, when applied to surfaces, forms a thin, impermeable layer, thus preventing water absorption and minimizing the risk of water damage.
About JAM Group’s Residue Wax
JAM Group Co. is a distinguished residue wax manufacturer, supplier, and exporter with a global reputation. The company’s portfolio boasts diverse residue wax grades customized with specific purity levels to suit various industrial applications. This exclusivity in product offerings is a testament to the advanced manufacturing capabilities and the seasoned team of professionals at JAM Group Co. who are dedicated to ensuring the highest quality standards. Their expertise and state-of-the-art factories play a role in manufacturing residue wax products that meet customers’ precise needs, making them a preferred choice across industries.
Understanding the value of maintaining product integrity during transit, JAM Group Co. employs various packing methods to protect the residue wax from contamination and damage without imposing unnecessary costs. The company strategically balances the need for affordable packaging solutions with the requirement for safe transportation, recognizing that the cost-effectiveness of residue wax is a significant factor for its clients. For further insights about this company, navigate to About Us.
Conclusion
Reside wax is one of the best paraffin wax products due to its oil content and adaptability in liquid and semi-solid states. Grades are distinct with oil percentages, congealing temperature, and viscosity differences. This, therefore, makes it useful in application to several areas, for example, those that require lubrication due to its oily nature—application in reducing the level of friction between moving parts and production of candles, matches, and several waterproofing materials where consistency in burning is highly valued. Similarly, its applicability to the cosmetic industry as an ingredient in creams and balms illustrates that it helps in the texture and stability of the product. Residue wax can thus be helpful in manufacturing and industrial processing.
