Study on the Effect of Raw Material Composition on Water‐Repellent Capacity of Paraffin Wax Emulsions on Wood

Through the study of the vapor‐water‐solid interface, the water‐repellent capacity of a paraffin wax‐covered wood substrate has been related to the structure of the hydrocarbons of which it is composed, using the axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) and gas chromatography (CG) techniques. Two effects were found relating to the distribution of hydrocarbons in paraffin wax affecting its surface properties, such as the contact angle and the surface tension: paraffin wax's “intrinsic” waterproofing capacity, dependent on the hydrocarbons' stereochemical configuration, and the loss of this capacity dependent on the hydrocarbons' molecular weight. The “intrinsic” waterproofing capacity is measured as the vapor‐liquid‐solid interface contact angle (water on a paraffin wax‐covered wood substrate), and the loss of this capacity is measured as the time‐dependent decrease in that same interface contact angle as we edge away from ideal conditions using a non standard substrate. The chromatographic distribution area that provides the ideal surface properties (maximum waterproofing capacity and minimum loss of this capacity) for the paraffin wax‐covered wood substrate was also determined.

Keywords:

• paraffin wax emulsions
• wood
• contact angle
• surface tension