ABSTRACT
Chemical Nature Waxes from natural sources are esters formed by the reaction of longchain alcohols and acids (typically 25-40 carbons). They exhibit an acid number (AN) and a saponification number. These are important to the coatings formulator, as they can impact the coating's stochiometry. The higher the AN of the wax, the higher its reactivity and the more emulsifiable it is in water. The higher the saponification number, the higher the amount of ester linkages and the more susceptible the wax is to hydrolysis. The two most important natural waxes for coatings are carnauba and montan.
