Slack Wax SPO (Spindle Oil)

About This Product

Slack Wax SPO is crystallised from the spindle oil distillate during lubricating oil refining and is classed as a semi-solid petroleum hydrocarbon wax under CAS No. 64742-61-6, with carbon numbers in the C20–C50 range. The grade takes its name from that cut: 'spindle oil' was the traditional term for the light lubricants used on textile mill spindles and precision machinery. In the LMO-SPO-MMO-DAO series SPO is the second lightest grade after LMO, pale to light yellow at a maximum of 1.5 on the ASTM D-1500 colour scale. Against LMO it melts higher, at 53–58°C, and holds less oil, 5–20%, so it is the firmer of the two while keeping a wax structure that is easy to work with. Melt flow is dependable, with a viscosity of 4.7–5.7 cSt at 100°C. SPO's strength is its breadth: the same wax handles light duties such as polishes and matches as well as heavier ones such as fibreboard treatment and emulsion bases. Candle makers use it as a blending and base wax, and it also goes into matches and firelighters, waterproofing of MDF, particleboard and perforated board, shoe and leather polishes, moisture-barrier treatment of corrugated board, emulsifying wax (E-wax) production as a primary feedstock, general wax emulsions, and tyre and rubber compounds. Supply is in 20–22 MT flexitanks, ISO tank containers, 190 kg steel drums or bulk tanker loads.