Concentrol, through the additives division, manufactures Emultrol® wax emulsions. This group of solutions consists of a wide and versatile range of products, which makes it possible to have an impact on many and diverse application sectors. Some of them are of vital importance in the economy, such as the textile, paper, cardboard, latex, cork, paints, inks and food sectors. Concentrol is in constant research processes to try to find the best possible solution for clients. In the study presented below, the company compared the hydrophobic behaviour of paraffin wax emulsions from two of its reference products with a product from a competitor.
Wax Emulsions
Wax emulsions are stable mixtures of one or more waxes in water. Waxes can be natural or synthetic. According to the nature of the emulsifying system, they are classified as ionic, non-anionic and cationic, although you can also use a mixture of emulsifiers. We know that aqueous formulations are complex and therefore these additives are free of organic solvents (water-based). Wax emulsions are used as industrial additives for paints, inks and varnishes, among others. They can be used in formulations of floor treatment products, wood finishes, car care products, paper, paints and coatings, inks and varnishes, fiberglass, textiles, home use, lubricants, and mold release agents.
Wax emulsions are offered in the form of fluids to facilitate their use, dosage and incorporation for the greater convenience of clients.
These products allow us to achieve properties of softness, matt or glossy effect, anti-slip effect, scratch resistance, waterproofing and hardness. They modify the surface finish to improve and protect the appearance at the interface between the coating and the outside world. The penetration of water through wall spaces, either by prolonged direct contact or due to humidity, can significantly affect the durability of walls causing structural damage and/or mold appearance, apart from being unhealthy, annoying and unsightly. The use of wax emulsions in paints to increase water repellence is a very common practice.
The emulsions mentioned below are designed to guarantee the best waterproofing performance. They are characterized by an excellent water barrier effect and great covering capacity.
Hydrophobicity Study
The present study compares the hydrophobic behaviour of Emultrol CM-2655 E and CM-2469 SPL paraffin wax emulsions with a product from a competitor (see Table 1 – Characteristics of the emulsions to compare).
Firstly, for the evaluation of the hydrophobic behaviour of each product, a layer of each of the emulsions is applied (30 μm wet) on paper and allowed to dry completely (minimum 12 h at room temperature). Next, a drop of water is dropped on top of this layer, in order to observe the wetting angle (see Figure 1).
Results
The results obtained show that the drops on top of the Emultrol CM-2655 E and EMULTROL CM-2469 SPL products exhibit a higher contact angle than the drop on top of the product from a competitor. This behaviour, called the lotus effect, demonstrates superior hydrophobicity in the former two products compared to the latter.
In addition, the behaviour of these drops was evaluated for a few minutes. In Figure 2, it is observed how over time, the drop of water on top of the competitor’s product is absorbed on the paper, indicating a clear re-emulsion of the product. This effect can already be observed from the beginning (see Figure 1).
It should be noted that, after 10 minutes, the drop of Emultrol CM-2655 E product begins to slowly moisten a small area of the paper, without ever being completely absorbed.
Figure 1 – Appearance of water droplets on top of the layers of product on paper
Figure 2 – Appearance of the water drops after 1,2 and 10 minutes.
To conclude, the company team believes that the Emultrol CM-2655 E and CM-2469 SPL products are good candidates for use as water-repellent additives. Concentrol recommends carrying out tests with the complete formulation, as well as making a comparison with the alternative additives used by each client.
AUTHOR: Ms. Carlota Clarasó – R&D Technical Department
Come and learn about these solutions at stand 3A-220 of the ECS2025 exhibition from March 25 to 27.
