WAX-BASED EMULSIFIERS FOR WAX EMULSIONS FOR USE IN ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS

Abstract

<p>In this study new value-added products were developed from four commercially available refined waxes for use as commercial emulsifiers via the technique of maleation. This research was performed in collaboration with an industrial partner with the hope of developing a wax emulsifier product that could replace commercially used wax emulsifiers in engineered wood product emulsions at a cost reduction by beginning with the design of a cost effective process that could be incorporated into an existing factory production line. Through the investigation and subsequent optimization of this process, a highly maleated product was achieved using 6 different quick and simple approaches. A standardized experimental design was applied to the parameters of the experiment: reaction time, peroxide, starting wax, maleic anhydride concentration, and temperature to observe and understand the individual effects of each on the resultant final product. Three organic peroxide initiators were evaluated; di-<em>tert</em>-butyl peroxide, di-<em>tert</em>-butyl peroxybenzoate and benzoyl peroxide, as well as a thermally initiated approach. The resultant waxes were then identified by their acid number and drop melt point; and from this, the overall efficiency of the combined parameter levels was calculated as a function the initial maleic anhydride amount versus that of the final. The maleated wax emulsifiers were incorporated into emulsions and applied to engineered wood products. Emulsifiers made via the thermally initiated approach showed statistically significant improvements in the desired properties, water absorbance and thickness swell, of the engineered wood products as compared to a commercial control formulation.</p>