IGI Microcrystalline Wax Products

IGI Microsere™ waxes are synonymous with the high performance and consistency. Through custom manufacturing capabilities, our goal is to help you achieve the quality, differentiated products required to meet your customer needs.

  • Unrivalled range of melting point, hardness & color grades to meet specific end-product needs
  • Conformance to FDA requirements as outlined in 21 CFR 178.3710
  • For markets restricting use of BHT, most grades available without the addition of antioxidant
  • IGI Microcrystalline wax is supplied as granule, pellet, slabs or liquid bulk, all designed to fit your processing needs
Melt Point (ASTM) °F/C°Hardness (ASTM D1321 @25°C) dmmColor (ASTM D6045 or observed)
MICROSERE 5788A148/64.4 (D938)35.2
MICROSERE 5715A171/77.2 (D127)26+16
MICROSERE 5806A181/82.8 (D127)21amber/dark
MICROSERE 5871A181/82.8 (D127)21light
MICROSERE 5890A181/82.8 (D127)21white
MICROSERE 5909A194/90 (D127)7 dmm.2

Several other grades of microcrystalline wax are available from IGI, including microcrystalline wax blends that can be manufactured to suite specific applications or specifications. Please contact IGI for details.

Microcrystalline waxes may broadly be divided into 3 categories:

GradeMelting PointHardnessApplications
Type 1 - Laminating54 to 76ºC20 - 35 dmmPackaging
Adhesives
Cosmetics
Rubber
Candles
Type 2 - Coating76 to 85ºC14 - 25 dmmAdhesives
Packaging
Chewing Gum
Inks
Plastics
Rubber
Type 3 - Hardening85 to 95ºC6 to 14 dmmAdhesives
Inks
Chewing Gum
Candles
Specialty

IGI Microsere™ brand waxes provide:

  • Unrivalled range of melting point, hardness & color grades to meet specific end-product needs
  • Conformance to FDA requirements as outlined in 21 CFR 178.3710
  • For markets restricting use of BHT, most grades available without the addition of antioxidant
  • Are supplied as granule, pellet, slabs or liquid bulk, all designed to fit your processing needs

Production and Grades of Microcrystalline Waxes

Recent industry trends in the base lubricant market have reduced the total number of refineries producing purpose-made microcrystalline waxes. In North America, The International Group, Inc is one of the few remaining companies that have committed refining capacity to the long term supply of finished microcrystalline waxes. IGI refineries are based in Pennsylvania USA and Ontario Canada.

Microcrystalline Wax and Paraffin Wax Compared

Microcrystalline wax is a refined mixture of solid, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, and produced by de-oiling certain fractions from the petroleum refining process. Microcrystalline waxes differ from refined paraffin wax in that the molecular structure is more branched and the hydrocarbon chains are longer (higher molecular weight). As a result the crystal structure of microcrystalline wax is much finer than paraffin wax, and this directly impacts many of the physical properties. Microcrystalline waxes are tougher, more flexible and generally higher in melting point than paraffin wax. The fine crystal structure also enables microcrystalline wax to bind solvents or oil, and thus prevent the sweating-out of compositions.

Paraffin WaxMicrocrystalline Wax
Mainly unbranched alkanesMainly branched alkanes
CrystallineAmorphous
BrittleMalleable
TranslucentOpaque
Low melting (48 to 70ºC)Higher melting (54 to 95ºC)
GlossyAdhesive
HardSoft
WhiteWhite to Colored
OdorlessOdorless

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Call 1-800-561-3509