Structure and properties of microcrystalline waxes

The structure of three series of microcrystalline waxes has been studied using X‐ray diffraction and i.r. techniques. Their relative methylene/methyl group ratios as well as solid state parameters like size and shape of the unit cell, crystallite size and total crystalline fraction have been calculated. An attempt has been made to correlate these structural data with gross physical properties like oil content and needle penetration point. These correlations are found to hold good within any given series but varies from one series to another.