1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to a waxy hydrocarbon consisting of straight and branch chain hydrogen saturated molecules formed by hydrogenation of polyethylene alpha olefins. The composition is formed by reacting hydrogen with a polyethylene alpha olefin produced by the so-called Ziegler process. The resulting hydrogen saturated product has properties similar in most respects to those of petroleum wax, but it is free of aromatic hydrocarbons and does not normally require filtration or other processing to remove color elements and ultraviolet light-absorbing impurities.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
Hydrocarbon waxes have long been known to the art where they have found many uses in the paper industries, in the manufacture of candles, in rust preventatives, drawing compounds, electrical insulators, match coatings, coating of citrus fruits, manufacture of crayons, etc. However, paraffin waxes are in very short supply and there is a need for suitable substitute materials. Until the discovery of the present invention, there has been no economical substitute for petroleum wax with general applicability to the various uses of petroleum wax.
It has been suggested that polymers comprising alpha olefins having chain lengths approximately equal to those of naturally occurring waxes may be blended with petroleum paraffin waxes to produce compositions having properties in some respects superior to petroleum wax compositions. Such blends are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,233.
However, it has been found that such alpha olefins lack oxidation stability and as a result compositions incorporating them are susceptible to undesirable cracking and brittleness. In some applications, such as carpet backing compositions, the use of an alpha olefin is precluded because the cracking, brittleness and flaking off result in an effective life of the backing composition which is much shorter than the life of the carpet.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel waxy composition having stability against oxidation.
Another object of this invention is to provide a waxy composition generally adapted to be blended with or substituted for naturally occurring petroleum wax.
Another object of this invention is to provide a wax composition of high purity and free of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, examples, and claims.