Influence of low-density polyethylene on the thermal characteristics and crystallinity of high melting point macro- and micro-crystalline waxes

The influence of low-density polyethylene on the thermal characteristics and the crystallinity of high melting point macro- and micro-crystalline waxes were investigated. The samples were prepared through melt blending using mechanical stirrer. The thermal characteristics of the blended samples were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The crystallinity of the samples was obtained using X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD). The observations are discussed in terms of possible changes when the polymer is mixed with two types of waxes. The wax–polymer miscibility differed with the type of the wax and the amount of polymer mixed into the wax. Also, the crystallinity and congealing point of the waxes differed with the amount of polymer mixed into the wax. Moreover, the resulting data indicate that, blending of polymer with high melting point micro-crystalline wax elevates its melting point to reach the limits of high melting point ceresin waxes which can be used in different industrial applications.