Carmel
Montan Wax & Alternative
Description
Also known as lignite wax or OP wax, montan wax is a natural wax derived by solvent extraction of lignites (a type of sedimentary rock). Due to its desirable physical and chemical properties, montan wax is often an ideal substitute for carnauba wax.
Montan wax is brown-black solid, non-toxic, tasteless, and has a high melting point. It has good gloss and chemical stability, can be dissolved in many kinds of organic solvents, and is easily saponified and emulsified.
Applications
Montan wax has similar properties to carnauba wax, except for its darker colour. When colour is not a factor, montan wax can serve as a cheaper substitute for carnauba wax. This makes montan wax ideal for use in shoe polish, floor wax and car wax.
Montan wax contains much higher levels of aliphatic acid, aliphatic ester and alcohol which provide advantages such as oil absorbency and colour solubility. This makes it an ideal additive to carbon paper. Its low electric conductivity and good insulation value also make it a great choice for coating electric cables.