Chemical Nature and Physical Properties

Baker Petrolite Polymers Division (BPPD) POLYWAX® polyethylenes are fully saturated homopolymersof ethylene that have high degrees of linearity and crystallinity. These synthetic waxes have narrowmolecular weight distributions and, consequently, narrow melt distributions. They also have low melt viscosities and are hard, even at elevated temperatures. Because POLYWAXpolyethylenes are fully saturated, they exhibit excellent heat stability and resistance to chemical attack.

Solubility Characteristics

POLYWAX polyethylenes are insoluble in all solvent systems at room temperature. The narrowmolecular weight distribution and absence of branching in these products reduces their solubility inorganic solvents, even at elevated temperatures. They are most soluble in:

• aromatics such as benzene, xylene and toluene• cyclic and bicyclic saturated hydrocarbons such as decalin and cyclohexane• tri- and tetrachloro substituted methanes and ethanes such as carbon tetrachloride

Solubility tends to increase with increased temperature in all the above cases.

POLYWAX polyethylenes may be dispersed in organic solvents or oils in concentrations up to about20% by dissolving the polyethylene in heated solvent then cooling with agitation. A fine dispersion ofparticles or a gel type suspension results. This allows these waxes to be added to ink and coatingformulations or used as mold release agents.

POLYWAX® Polyethylenes

(continued on back)

Release: BPPD 10-1

Typical Properties

Molecular Polydis- Density, g/cc Viscosity, cP Melting Penetration,

Weight, Mn persity, @ 77˚F @ 300˚F Point, 0.1 mm

Mw / Mn (25˚C) (149˚C) ˚F (˚C) @ 77˚F (25˚C)

Test Method GPC ASTM ASTM ASTM ASTMD-792 (mod.) D-88 (mod.) D-127 D-1321

POLYWAX 400 450 1.08 0.93 4 178 (81) 10.0POLYWAX 500 500 1.08 0.93 5 190 (88) 6.5POLYWAX 600 600 1.08 0.94 6 202 (94) 3.0POLYWAX 655 655 1.08 0.94 6 211 (99) 2.0POLYWAX 725 725 1.08 0.95 7 218 (104) 1.5POLYWAX 850 850 1.08 0.96 13 225 (107) 1.0POLYWAX 1000 1000 1.08 0.96 15 235 (113) 1.0POLYWAX 2000 2000 1.10 0.97 50 259 (126) 0.5POLYWAX 3000 3000 1.10 0.98 130 265 (129) 0.5

POLYWAX® Polyethylenes, continued

Thermal Properties

Due to their high crystallinity, POLYWAX polyethylenes have relatively high heats of fusion. This means that they have theability to store a considerable amount of heat energy during the transition from solid to liquid. In addition, due to the narrowmolecular weight distribution of the POLYWAX polyethylenes, the transition from one phase to another occurs over a verynarrow temperature range.

Features and Benefits

The Baker Petrolite Polymers Division proprietary POLYWAX polyethylene manufacturing process yields materials thatprovide benefits that are unique and quite distinct from other synthetic or petroleum based waxes. The manufacturing processcan be controlled to the extent that the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are consistently achieved for allof the herein described POLYWAX polyethylene products. Products can also be custom produced with molecular weightsintermediate to those of the POLYWAX polyethylenes described in the above table.

Features Benefits

High crystallinity - Low solubility in solvents- Hardness at elevated temperatures- Oil thickening capability

Controlled molecular weight - Formulating flexibilityand narrow polydispersity - Low melt viscosity

- Narrow melt range

Fully linear and fully saturated - Resistance to chemical attack- Excellent heat stability

Applications

POLYWAX polyethylenes have been used as performance additives in a wide range of industrial applications for aconsiderable number of years.

Plastics Additives

POLYWAX polyethylenes have been used to improve and enhance process parameters and finished product properties in avariety of applications in the plastics industry:

• highly effective nucleating agents and bead coating agents in expandable polystyrene processing, leading to the productionof world-class finished products

Typical DSC of POLYWAX® 1000Polyethylene Homopolymer

Melt Point/Heat of Fusion vs. MolecularWeight for POLYWAX® Polyethylenes

POLYWAX® Polyethylenes, continued

• flow modifiers, lubricants and release agents at usage levels of 0.5 to 5% providing improved processing of polyethylene,polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and other thermoplastics

• superior anti-blocking agents that may be added internally and/or externally in thermoplastic elastomer processing applications

• the performance ingredient in water-based and solvent-based mold release agents for the processing of polyurethane foamand other plastics

• lubricants and release agents for engineering resins

Ink, Imaging and Coating Applications

Highly attractive results have been observed in ink, coating and digital imaging applications after the addition of POLYWAXpolyethylenes at low concentrations:

• improved rub and mar resistance and slip characteristics may be secured by addition of 0.5 to 2% micronized POLYWAXpolyethylenes to lithographic and flexographic inks

• improved flattening that is not subject to over-grinding may be obtained using POLYWAX polyethylene concentrations ofabout 3%

• because of its excellent resistance to solvents, micronized POLYWAX 2000 has been used to provide excellent slip and rubproperties in highly aggressive solvent systems such as publication gravure printing systems

• improved slip characteristics may be achieved in stir-in ink applications where POLYWAX polyethylenes can be used assubstitutes for PTFE

• in dry toner applications POLYWAX polyethylenes act as anti-offset agents when applied via heat fixation, or softeningpoint modifiers when applied via pressure fixation

• because of their hardness and narrow melt distribution, POLYWAX polyethylenes are used as performance enhancingadditives in thermal transfer ink and hot melt ink-jet applications

• POLYWAX polyethylenes have improved the leveling and slip of polyester powder coatings at concentrations of 0.75 to 2%

Performance Additives for Hot Melt Adhesives and Coatings

POLYWAX polyethylenes have been used to enhance the properties of hot melt adhesives:

• POLYWAX polyethylenes can be used to lower the viscosity of hot melt formulations and, at the same time, increase thesoftening point

• POLYWAX polyethylenes can cause a seeding effect in the hot melt formulation causing crystallization of the adhesive onthe substrate to occur more readily

• POLYWAX polyethylenes can be used at low concentrations to significantly raise the solidification point of a hot meltformulation

• POLYWAX polyethylenes are a performance ingredient in temporary and permanent anti-corrosion hot melt dip coatingsfor automobile applications

Applications as Phase Change Materials

The exceptional thermal properties of POLYWAX polyethylenes may be exploited in a number of ways:

• Because of their precise melt point and narrow melt distribution, POLYWAX polyethylenes are used as the performanceingredient in the manufacture of automotive thermostats

(continued on back)

• The relatively high heat of fusion of POLYWAX polyethylenes leads to their being most useful in the production of foodwarming jackets

Improving the Properties of Cable Fill Compounds

• POLYWAX polyethylenes are used as the performance additive in high sag point polyisobutene-based cable fill compounds for fibre optic cables

• POLYWAX polyethylenes exhibit efficacy in mineral oil and petrolatum-based cable fill compounds, having outstandingproperties with regard to oil bleed and dimensional stability

Improving the Properties of Lower Grade Paraffin Waxes

The properties and value of lower grade paraffin waxes may be significantly improved by the addition of small amounts ofPOLYWAX polyethylenes:

• higher hardness and higher melting point may be achieved with minimal effect on melt viscosity and cloud point

• surface oil bleed may be reduced, block and pick points raised and abrasion resistance improved

FDA Status

• POLYWAX 500, 655, 850, and 1000 polyethylenes meet the quality requirements of the US FDA as specified in 21 CFR172.888 and 21 CFR 178.3720.

• POLYWAX 2000 and 3000 polyethylenes meet the quality requirements of the US FDA as specified in 21 CFR177.1520(c) (2.1)-(2.3).

• The POLYWAX polyethylenes that meet the requirements in 21 CFR 178.3720 may also be used in adjuvant substances in polyolefins regulated by 21 CFR 177.1520.

Product Forms

POLYWAX polyethylenes are available in the conventional prill form. They are also available in the micronized form insizes 6, 10, 20, 60 and 120 micron.

POLYWAX® Polyethylenes, continued

The information and recommendations contained herein are believed to be accurate and reliable as of the date hereof; however we do not warrant or represent their accuracy or reliability.

Disclaimer of Liability: Baker Petrolite Corporation (BPC) warrants to purchaser, but no third parties or others, the specifications for the product shall fall within a generally recognizedrange for typical physical properties established by BPC when the product departs BPC's point of origin and that any services shall only be performed in accordance with applicablewritten work documents. BPC MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING NO IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY ORFITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING ANY SERVICES PERFORMED OR PRODUCT SUPPLIED. BPC will give purchaser the benefit of BPC's best judgement in makinginterpretations of data, but does not guarantee the accuracy or correctness of such interpretations. BPC's recommendations contained herein are advisory only and without representationsas to the results. BPC shall not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages or losses from any cause whatsoever including but not limited to itsnegligence.

©2002 Baker Hughes Incorporated All rights reserved. BP0105 (8/01)

POLYWAX® polyethylenes are commercially available from Baker Petrolite Polymers Division.

POLYWAX® is a trademark of Baker Hughes Incorporated.