Product Name: Polyethylene Wax
Synonyms: PE Wax, Ethylene Copolymer Wax
Chemical Family: Polyolefins
CAS Number: 9002-88-4
Product Use: Used in lubrication, slip additives for plastics, coatings, inks, adhesives, polishes, and textiles
Manufacturer: Typically listed on packaging, often relevant for traceability
Emergency Contact: Manufacturer’s emergency number or local poison control
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
Label Elements: No pictograms or signal words required
Hazards: Fine dust can present explosion risk, hot molten product causes thermal burns, inhalation of vapors at elevated temperatures may cause respiratory irritation
Acute Health Effects: Contact with molten polyethylene wax may cause skin burns
Chronic Effects: No evidence of long-term health effects in normal handling
Environmental Hazards: Polyethylene wax does not biodegrade quickly, may persist in soil and water
Chemical Name: Polyethylene
Concentration: Over 98%
Impurities: Trace amounts of residual catalysts and byproducts
Additives: Some variants contain stabilizers or antioxidants, usually in very low proportions
Hazardous Ingredients: No hazardous ingredients above relevant cutoff values
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air if fumes inhaled from overheated or burning material, monitor for symptoms like cough or breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: If solid wax touches skin, usually presents no irritation; for molten material contact, immerse burn in cool running water and do not peel wax; seek medical attention for extensive burns
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with plenty of water, keep eyelids apart, get medical check if any wax gets stuck or irritation persists
Ingestion: Polyethylene wax is considered inert and non-toxic, but medical evaluation is advised if large amounts swallowed or if significant symptoms occur
Notes to Physician: Treat based on symptoms, supportive measures for thermal burns
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray (fog), foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water stream on molten wax can cause splatter
Specific Hazards: Produces thick black smoke and hydrocarbons when burning, gases include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and trace hydrocarbons
Protective Equipment: Use self-contained breathing apparatus, fire-resistant clothing, keep upwind
Firefighting Procedures: Cool containers exposed to fire, avoid runoff going into drains
Explosion Risk: Polyethylene wax dust or fine powder in air can form explosive mixtures in confined spaces
Personal Precautions: For molten spills, use protective gloves, goggles, and clothing to prevent burns
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers and watercourses, sweep up solid and place into suitable containers for disposal
Clean-Up Methods: Allow molten wax to solidify, scrape up and collect for recycling or disposal, ventilate area if any decomposition fumes present
Dust Handling: Minimize generation of dust to reduce risk of explosion and inhalation
Handling: Use with adequate ventilation, especially if processing at temperatures above 150°C, avoid contact with molten material
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry area away from direct sunlight and sources of ignition, avoid storing near strong oxidizing agents
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers like permanganates, nitric acid
Specific Practices: Use clean, dry tools and containers, ground equipment to prevent static discharge
Bulk Storage: Use containers designed for polyethylene with covers to prevent contamination
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established OSHA or ACGIH limits for polyethylene wax dust
Engineering Controls: Good local ventilation and dust collection in bulk handling areas, extraction fans in melt-processing environments
Personal Protective Equipment: For molten wax, wear heat-resistant gloves and long sleeves, for dust or fumes, use particulate respirator (N95 or better), wear safety goggles during handling
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, avoid eating or drinking in work area, remove contaminated clothing
Exposure Monitoring: Monitor for nuisance dust and fumes in poorly ventilated conditions
Physical Form: Solid flakes, pellets, powder, or lumps
Color: White to off-white
Odor: Little or no odor at room temperature, slight paraffinic when heated
Melting Point: Between 90°C and 140°C depending on grade
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Over 230°C (closed cup)
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in hot aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Density: 0.92 - 0.98 g/cm³
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Material supports combustion at elevated temperatures
Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions
Thermal Decomposition: Decomposes above 300°C forming smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons
Reactivity: Non-reactive with most materials under standard conditions
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Aldehydes, acids, smoke in case of overheating or fire
Acute Toxicity: Practically non-toxic by oral, dermal, or inhalation routes
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Not irritating in solid form; molten product can cause serious burns
Eye Damage/Irritation: Solid forms generally not irritating; contact with molten product can cause injury
Sensitization: No evidence of skin sensitization
Repeated Dose Toxicity: No observed adverse effects in standard animal studies for polyethylene
Carcinogenicity: IARC, NTP, OSHA do not list polyethylene as a carcinogen
Mutagenicity: Not known to be mutagenic
Other Effects: No evidence for reproductive toxicity; inhalation of decomposition fumes can cause throat, eye, nose irritation
Environmental Persistence: Degrades very slowly; fragments may remain in soil or water for years
Bioaccumulation: Not expected to bioaccumulate
Aquatic Toxicity: Polyethylene wax is not acutely toxic to aquatic life
Mobility in Soil: Immobile as solid, floats on water surfaces
Additional Info: Large spills in water may form films that impact oxygen transfer at air-water interface; regular releases may contribute to microplastic pollution over time
Waste Disposal Methods: Reuse or recycle where possible; incineration in approved facilities or disposal in landfill that accepts inert plastic waste
Special Precautions: Avoid release to environment, keep out of waterways and municipal drains
Contaminated Packaging: Empty packaging should be handled per local regulations; often recyclable
Regulatory Status: Not regulated as a hazardous waste under US RCRA or similar international statutes
UN Number: Not regulated for transport
Transport Hazard Class: None
Packing Group: None required
Proper Shipping Name: Polyethylene Wax
Labels: No label required under current transport guidelines
Special Precautions: Prevent dust build-up and static discharge in bulk transport, secure containers against damage and spillage
Inventory Status: Listed on major chemical inventories including TSCA (US), DSL (Canada), EINECS (Europe), AICS (Australia)
OSHA: Not classified as hazardous under the Hazard Communication Standard
SARA Title III: Not listed as an extremely hazardous substance, no reportable quantities
REACH: Substance registered and compliant
California Prop 65: Does not contain known carcinogens or reproductive toxins
Labeling: Not required for consumer or workplace use of standard forms
