PROCESS FOR PREPARING POLYOLEFIN WAXES OF POLYETHYLENE AND POLYPROPYLENE BY THERMAL DEPOLYMERIZATION OF THERMOPLASTIC RESINS OF POLYETHYLENE AND POLYPROPYLENE WITH ACCELERATED BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISTICS.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyethylene and polypropylene polyolefin waxes by thermal depolymerization of polyethylene and polypropylene thermoplastic resins, and particularly to the preparation of polyethylene waxes within a certain viscosity and molecular weight range that transform them into 100% biodegradable polyethylene waxes in a short period of time (less than 30 days). The depolymerization process also demonstrates that the reaction of the polyethylene thermoplastic resins for the preparation of polyethylene waxes will provide a specific chemical transformation in the molecules of the polyethylene waxes obtained, leaving them susceptible to subsequent oxidation by a very fast, economical, and high-performance process.The oxidized polyethylene waxes obtained are of excellent quality and are also waxes with biodegradability characteristics in a short period of time, just like their original non-oxidized waxes; these oxidized waxes with biodegradability characteristics in a short period of time can subsequently be emulsified or dispersed in an aqueous medium, maintaining the biodegradability characteristics in a short period of time, just like their original oxidized waxes, and allowing their use in liquid, semi-paste or pasty form.