In the field of building decoration materials, SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) and WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) flooring have gained wide popularity for their environmental friendliness, wear resistance, and water resistance. During their production, oxidized polyethylene wax (OPE wax) serves as a critical additive, playing an irreplaceable role in enhancing production efficiency and product performance, thus helping create high-quality flooring products.
Unique Properties of Oxidized Polyethylene Wax
Oxidized polyethylene wax is a product of oxidizing polyethylene wax (PE wax), which retains the lubricating properties of PE wax while introducing polar groups to achieve superior dispersibility and compatibility. It features a high melting point (typically exceeding 120°C) and excellent thermal stability, with a decomposition temperature exceeding 220°C. This allows it to remain stable under high-temperature processing conditions in SPC and WPC production, making it ideal for high-temperature manufacturing processes. Additionally, it possesses outstanding internal and external lubrication properties: it weakens the intermolecular forces of PVC resin to promote plasticization while reducing friction between materials and equipment, thereby lowering energy consumption.
Application of OPE Wax in SPC Flooring Production
1. Process Optimization
In SPC flooring production, the calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) filling ratio often exceeds 50%, leading to poor material flow and high processing difficulty. OPE wax’s excellent dispersibility quickly and uniformly distributes fillers like CaCO₃, preventing agglomeration and ensuring homogeneous mixing. During extrusion, its efficient internal and external lubrication reduces melt viscosity, minimizes friction between materials and screws/barrels, and decreases equipment wear. Meanwhile, it accelerates extrusion speed, increasing production efficiency by 15%-20%.
2. Performance Enhancement
SPC flooring with OPE wax exhibits significantly improved surface finish, presenting a premium glossy appearance that enhances visual appeal. In terms of wear resistance, the protective film formed by OPE wax on the surface can increase the wear resistance revolution count by over 20%, effectively resisting friction from soles and furniture casters to extend service life. Moreover, it regulates the crystallization process of PVC resin, enhancing dimensional stability and preventing warping or deformation even in environments with large temperature/humidity fluctuations.
Application of OPE Wax in WPC Flooring Production
1. Processing Performance Improvement
WPC flooring is composed of wood fibers, plastics, and additives, with poor compatibility between wood fibers and PVC resin often causing inadequate plasticization. As a compatibilizer, OPE wax effectively improves the interfacial compatibility between wood fibers and PVC resin, ensuring better bonding of the two materials. During thermocompression molding, its excellent lubricity aids material flow, resulting in uniform sheet thickness and reducing defects such as bubbles and delamination, thereby increasing product qualification rates.
2. Product Quality Enhancement
WPC flooring aims for natural wood texture, and OPE wax improves surface smoothness, making wood grain patterns clearer and more realistic to enhance product grade. Additionally, it endows the flooring with superior weather resistance, resisting UV radiation, rain, and other environmental factors to prevent fading and deformation, maintaining long-term aesthetics. It also reduces water absorption, enhancing waterproof performance and making it suitable for wet environments like kitchens and bathrooms.
Comprehensive Advantages of OPE Wax Application
Cost-Effectiveness
Although OPE wax has a higher unit price than some common additives, its low addition rate (typically 0.5–1.0 phr) and ability to improve production efficiency, reduce rejection rates, and extend product lifespan result in lower overall costs.
Environmental Compliance
OPE wax is non-toxic, odorless, and meets environmental standards. SPC and WPC flooring produced with it better satisfy consumers’ demands for green home products, helping enterprises expand market share.
Oxidized polyethylene wax plays a pivotal role in SPC and WPC flooring production through its unique properties. Whether optimizing production processes or enhancing product performance and quality, it demonstrates exceptional value, making it a top choice for flooring manufacturers to boost competitiveness.
