Apiezon Wax W

Wax W the hard one

Following up from the article “Which Wax?” here we focus on the hardest of the three which is Wax W.

Apiezon Wax W has found many uses over the years and has some unique properties that make it a very versatile product. In the first instance it can be used as a vacuum sealant, heated up to 130°C it becomes a liquid which can be poured into joints and upon cooling it hardens into a permanent or semi permanent vacuum seal. The very low vapour pressure of Wax W makes it suitable for use down to 10-9 Torr at 20°C.

Wax can also be applied for encapsulating electrical or electronic equipment. The unique benefit of Wax W is that unlike epoxy based potting compounds the component can be easily removed from the wax by reheating. Any residue can then be cleaned off with the use of hydrocarbon solvents, such as limonene. This is especially useful for short to medium term experiments where components need to be protected from moisture or harmful chemicals.

Two other common uses of Wax W are for mounting substrates and for etch resist. For mounting delicate components heat the wax up until it is sticky, apply the substrate and let it cool. Result – one mounted device! Want to get it back off? Simply warm the wax back up or dissolve it in a suitable solvent. No mess left at the end and no damage to the component during removal.

Wax W also makes an excellent etch resist, since it is impervious to a wide range of acid and alkali etchants. For application to a substrate the wax can either be melted, or dissolved in a solvent and spin coated on. This second method is the best to get a thin conformal coating of wax. When the etching job is done the wax can be removed completely with a solvent.

Using Wax W as a hard wax mounting substrate or as etch resist are just two uses, but there are no doubt many more and we would love to hear from you about your use of our wax…

What are the Apiezon Wax W range of waxes?
The Apiezon Wax W range of waxes features three products including the popular Apiezon Wax W, also known as ‘Black Wax’.
All three waxes in the Apiezon range can be used as permanent or semi-permanent vacuum sealants or mounting media. Apiezon Wax W is also a perfect etch resist.

What are the properties of Apiezon Wax W?
Versatile products suitable for a multitude of uses
Etch resist (Wax W only)
First-rate vapour pressure characteristics
High purity combined with powerful ‘gettering’ & clean meltdown properties
Excellent waterproof media
Easy to use and to remove
10 year shelf life
Apiezon Wax W40 is the softest wax of the range
Apiezon Wax W100 is a medium hardness wax
Apiezon Wax W is the hardest wax of the range
Available to buy in 250g, 500g, and 1kg blocks.

When should I use Apiezon Wax W waxes?
Apiezon Wax W is the first choice wax for most situations, offering efficient joint sealing over the widest temperature range, the most resistance to attack by acids and alkalis, the lowest vapour pressures, the most resistance to water and, for such a versatile wax, surprisingly the lowest cost when presented in the 1kg block.

Wax W is also available in stick form offering fast and convenient application. A single stick can simply be heated at the site of application with a small blow torch or Bunsen burner.

The Apiezon range offers the choice of three waxes with differing properties depending on the specific requirements of the job in hand. In addition to Wax W, two other formulations are available.

Apiezon Wax W100 is a medium hardness vacuum sealing and mounting wax. It is inherently softer than Wax W, thus reducing the risk of cracking glass joints if they are subject to vibration.

Apiezon Wax W40 is the softest of all the Apiezon waxes. With a softening point of just 40 to 50°C, it can be prepared for use in hot water for application to heat sensitive joints.

To find out more about the range of Apiezon waxes or the Apiezon family of silicone-free high vacuum greases manufactured by M&I Materials Ltd, contact our team of experts available via our helpline and online.

Apiezon® W is a versatile, chemically inert wax compound that is solid at ambient temperatures, and is used for rigid permanent or semi-permanent joint sealing. Apiezon® W wax has “gettering” qualities, like their greases, coupled with high purity and clean meltdown properties allow this wax to absorb greasy or chemical impurities on metal/glass surfaces. Apiezon® W wax is used in the manufacturing of silicon transistors and integrated circuits due to its resistance to etching fluids (hydrofluoric, nitric, and acetic acids). Apiezon® W wax is also used as a protective coating for printed circuits to ensure protection of the copper circuit from acid etching processes and air oxidation. Apiezon® W wax also serves as an excellent mounting media for permanent and temporary adhesives for silicon chips. The wax can be dissolved in a hydrocarbon or chlorinated solvent (or melt and apply directly), applied, and a thin film of wax forms after the solvent evaporates.

Features
Particularly suitable for sealing joints that may become warm in operation
Joint sealing over widest temperature range
Most resistant to reactions by acid and alkalis
Resistant to water, water vapor, and atmospheric moisture in vacuum applications
Low vapor pressure
Jointing and mounting media
Etch fluid resistant

Apiezon® Wax W, also known as ‘Black Wax’ can be used as permanent or semi permanent vacuum sealants or mounting media. Apiezon® Wax W is also a perfect etch resist.

Why Use Apiezon® Waxes?
• Versatile products suitable for a multitude of uses
• First-rate vapour pressure characteristics
• High purity combined with powerful ‘gettering’ & clean meltdown properties
• Excellent waterproof media
• Easy to use and to remove
• 10 year shelf life

Apiezon Wax W Hard Vacuum Sealing, Softening Point 85°C, 5×10-9 Torr at 20°C, Wax, 1 kg block

Apiezon waxes are versatile products offering a multitude of uses. The key features of Apiezon waxes are: Jointing media, “Gettering” qualities, Etch fluid resistant, Mounting media, and Low to medium vacuum range. An Apiezon wax being a solid at ambient temperatures is ideal for use where a rigid permanent or semi-permanent sealed joint is required. Apiezon waxes are equally effective at maintaining seals in vacuum systems down to 10-9 torr at 20°C (dependent on the wax) and in systems at small positive pressures. They are excellent waterproof mediums providing a total seal against liquid water and offer superior sealing against water vapour and atmospheric moisture. The excellent vapour pressure characteristics, as shown in the graph opposite, are extremely important for a variety of applications, including thin film deposition as volatiles will not jeopardise the vacuum within the system or contaminate thin film deposits. Like the greases, Apiezon waxes have powerful “gettering” qualities. This “gettering” power coupled with high purity and very “clean” meltdown properties of the waxes has led to their extensive use in the electronics industry, where scrupulous cleanliness of metal surfaces is required. Apiezon waxes are used in the manufacture of silicon transistors and integrated circuits. They are chemically inert, being resistant to etching fluids such as hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid and acetic acid, but are easily removed with hydrocarbon or chlorinated solvents. Many impurities which may have remained on the surface if a solvent were used in isolation are also removed with the wax. Apiezon waxes are extensively used as protective coatings for printed circuits, ensuring complete protection for the copper circuit from acid etching processes and air oxidation, while enabling direct soldering through the wax. Apiezon waxes are excellent mounting media and are used extensively as both temporary and permanent adhesives for the mounting of silicon chips. To use as a mounting medium, either melt the wax and apply neat to the surface, or dissolve in a hydrocarbon or chlorinated solvent prior to use. Evaporation of the solvent will leave a thin layer of wax with excellent adhesive properties. To ensure an adhesive layer of consistent thickness across its surface rapidly rotate the chip and a superior mounting surface will be created.

How to use
Apply pre-melted wax to the required area using a glass rod, spatula or other such implement, taking care not to exceed a temperature of 60°C above the softening point of the wax shown above. To remove the wax after use heat to soften and scrape away. Any deposits can then be washed with an organic solvent or removed using a vapour degreasing bath.

Apiezon Wax W is the first choice wax for most situations, offering efficient joint sealing over the widest temperature range, the most resistance to attack by acids and alkalis, the lowest vapour pressures, the most resistance to water and, for such a versatile wax, surprisingly the lowest cost when presented in the 1kg block. Wax W is also available in 20g sticks PN (P102550) offering faster application. A single stick being simply heated at the site of application with a small blow torch or Bunsen burner.

Additional information

Brand

Apiezon

Apiezon is a range of high vacuum greases, vacuum sealants and lubricants that are favored around the world because of their quality, consistency and excellent performance in vacuum applications.

Apiezon Wax W W40 W100 DataSheet

Apiezon Wax W – MSDS