Abstract
The effect of ageing at different storage conditions on the microstructure and melting properties of two petroleum waxes, petrolatum and microcrystalline wax, were investigated. The two waxes were stored for a maximum of 50 weeks at different temperatures. Samples were analysed before storage and removed from storage and analysed after different storage times. The effect of storage time and temperature was analysed with confocal laser scanning microscopy and modulated differential scanning calorimetry. Some alteration in the microstructure occurred with longer storage time. The amount of fine and irregular structures seen in the initial petrolatum samples decreased with storage time, and some shadowy, grey areas appeared. The microstructure of the microcrystalline wax stored at 23 °C became more diffuse and more, shadowy, grey areas appeared with time compared to samples stored at 50 °C. These showed coarser crystalline structures and fewer shadowy, grey areas. The results of confocal laser scanning microscopy and modulated differential scanning calorimetry analyses indicated that recrystallization occurred in both waxes during storage. The proposed recrystallization processes taking place during storage were most likely the same in all samples, but the recrystallization occurred to a greater extent in the microcrystalline wax samples stored at 50 °C.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
MacLaren FH (1951) TAPPI 34:462
Fox RC (1958) TAPPI 41:283
Salame M, Steingiser S (1977) Polym-Plast Technol Eng 8:155
Larsson K (1994) Lipids – molecular organization, physical functions and technical applications. The Oily Press Ltd, Scotland
Walstra P, Kloek W, van Vliet T (2001) In: Garti N, Sato K (eds) Crystallization processes in fats and lipid systems. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, p 289
Freund M, Csikós R, Keszthelyi S, Mózes GY (1982) In: Mózes GY (ed) Paraffin products. Properties, technologies, applications. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Budapest
Aquilano D, Sgualdino G (2001) In: Garti N, Sato K (eds) Crystallization processes in fats and lipid systems. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, p 1
Petersson M, Gustafson I, Stading M (2008) J Mater Sci (in press). doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-007-2417-9
Loth C (2004) Diploma thesis. Chalmers University of Technology
ASTM E104-85 (1985) Annual book of ASTM standards. ASTM, p 853
Gill PS, Sauerbrunn SR, Reading M (1993) J Therm Anal 40:931
Acknowledgements
The Knowledge Foundation through its graduate school YPK is acknowledged for financial support. Paula Olofsson and Maud Langton are also acknowledged for their valuable comments on the interpretation of the CLSM micrographs, and Niklas Lorén is acknowledged for valuable discussions. MS gratefully acknowledges funding from the EU project NovelQ and Vinnova (The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Petersson, M., Gustafson, I. & Stading, M. Ageing of two petroleum waxes. J Mater Sci 43, 1859–1868 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-007-2416-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-007-2416-x