Microcrystalline waxes, in contrast to paraffin, may vary in color from
white to yellow, amber, brown, or even black. By using various separation
techniques, microcrystalline waxes can range from soft plastic and tacky
to hard, tough, and dry.
Like paraffins, they are hydrocarbon waxes, but with a higher molecular
weight and a larger number of components. As a result, they have comparatively
high melting points - up to 195 °F.
Microcrystalline waxes, once called amorphous (without definite crystalline
form), until examined under high power microscope proved that it too has
a crystalline structure. With this discovery, the name was changed to microcrystalline.
PRODUCTS
- BW 408: Melt Point: 167 °F (75 °C), yellow, soft, very adhesive
- BW
435: Melt Point: 160 °F (71 °C), yellow, soft
- BW 430: Melt Point:
163 °F (73 °C), yellow, flexible
- BW 429: Melt Point: 166 °F
(74 °C), yellow, flexible
- BW 431: Melt Point: 181 °F (83 °C),
yellow, brittle, hard
