Crystalline state of polymeric additives in compositions containing paraffin

1. Polyethylene wax and polyethylene, like paraffin, crystallize from a nonvolatile hydrocarbon solvent in the form of laminar crystals located in the form of strata, but, in distinction from paraffin crystals, which have a definitely expressed form of rhombuses, the polyethylene crystals do not have clearly delineated boundaries. This indicates a considerable difference between the crystalline structure and crystalline lattice of paraffins and polyolefins. 2. The crystals of paraffin and polyolefins also differ significantly in their external appearance; paraffin separates in the form of relatively brittle monocrystals of the form indicated above; polyethylene wax and polyethylene separate in the form of fine crystalline formations of the dendritic type. 3. At increased concentrations, polyethylene tends to crystallize out of solutions in the form of spherulitic dendrites.