Winter Sport Wax Formulation

Abstract

A winter sport equipment wax composition including at least 20 wt % of a fatty acid ester or fatty acid esters derived from a renewable feedstock and up to 80 wt % of one or more additional materials selected from the group of additional waxes, natural plant oils and waxes, and hydrogenated plant oils.

Claims

1. A lubricant composition comprising: a. at least 20 wt % of a fatty acid ester or fatty acid esters derived from a renewable feedstock; and b. up to 80 wt % of one or more additional materials selected from the group of additional waxes, natural plant oils and waxes, and hydrogenated plant oils.

2. The composition of claim 1, comprising at least one fatty acid ester consisting of the formula: R1-C(-50 O)OR2; a. wherein R1 means a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group from the alkyl groups: hexyl, octyl, decyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, linoleyl, linolenyl, and behenyl and; b. R2 means a straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group from the alkyl groups: hexyl, octyl, decyl, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, linoleyl, linolenyl, and behenyl.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein R1 and R2 are straight-chained alkyl groups.

4. The composition of claim 2 wherein combined R1 and R2 alky groups contain 20 to 50 carbon atoms.

5. The composition of claim 2 comprising a fatty acid ester or fatty acid esters that are derived through the esterification of a fatty acid with a fatty alcohol.

6. The composition of claim 1, comprising up to 20 wt % beeswax.

7. The composition of claim 1, comprising at least 20 wt % hydrogenated vegetable oil.

8. The composition of claim 1, comprising at least 2 wt % plant wax from the plant waxes: carnauba, candelilla, sunflower or rice bran.

9. The composition of claim 1, comprising one or more colorants or fragrances.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein one or more additional materials are of natural origin.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] At a high level, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a non-petroleum, renewable winter sport wax. In an embodiment, winter sport wax is traditionally comprised of petroleum-based feedstocks including paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax and other waxes and oils derived from petroleum-based feedstocks. Aspects of the present disclosure include waxes and oils, derived from renewable feedstocks and free of petroleum feedstocks. Aspects of the present disclosure include fatty acid esters derived from plant feedstocks. Aspects of the present disclosure include feedstocks of plant waxes and hydrogenated plant oils. Mixtures of renewable fatty acid esters, derived from plant-based feedstocks, with plant-derived waxes and oils, create a winter sport wax with desirable characteristics. Desired characteristics include drag-reduction, or increased slip, and improved applicability, hardness adjustability, and durability.

[0018] Aspects of the present disclosure may be used as a renewable winter wax alternative to fossil fuel feedstocks. The global warming situation has put pressure on industry to find alternatives to fossil fuel feedstocks. Industrial advances have created a growing collection of renewable materials needed to meet demand. Vegetable oil and vegetable oil derivatives maintain a viable alternative when mixed with intent to maximize slip in varying snow conditions. Pure fatty acid esters provide exceptional lubricity between winter sport equipment bases and snow. Pure fatty acid esters also soften the hardness of vegetable and plant waxes, when added. Varying the volume and type of pure fatty acid ester in the wax matrix allows for precise control of hardness of winter sport wax. The addition of fatty acid esters also provides precise adjustment of adhesion within the wax matrix, allowing for desired characteristics during removal of excess wax from winter sport equipment bases and overcoming the less-than-ideal hardness and gumminess characteristics encountered when creating renewable wax blends without fatty acid esters.

[0019] It has been found that cetyl stearate, a fatty acid ester, provides excellent slip between winter sport bases and snow. Cetyl stearate on its own is not durable on winter sport equipment bases nor does it create a desired excess wax removal process. By incorporating cetyl stearate into a wax matrix consisting of natural plant waxes and oils, it was found that the resulting wax matrix improved on overall slip, durability, and applicability.

[0020] Cetyl stearate is a fatty acid ester containing 34 carbons and having a melting point of 56-58 C. Adjusting the volume of the cetyl stearate in the wax matrix allows for control over the hardness of the wax. Adjustability of hardness is desired to meet demands of different snow types. Warm and slushy snow is repelled best by a relatively soft wax. Hard and crystallized snow is repelled best by a relatively hard wax.

[0021] Due to physical characteristics of cetyl stearate such as hardness and melting point being related to the number of carbons in the molecule, it can be determined that fatty acid esters with greater numbers of carbons will have a higher hardness and melting point. For example, stearyl behenate has 40 carbons and a melting point of 60-65 C. Stearyl behenate is also noticeably harder than cetyl stearate.

[0022] As an additional example, behenyl behenate is a fatty acid ester with 44 carbons, a melting point of 70-74 C. and is harder than cetyl stearate. To further control hardness, fatty acid esters in liquid form can be added to the wax matrix. Coco caprate and coco caprylate have 22 and 20 carbons respectively and are liquids at room temperature and further soften the wax matrix when added. Thus, by adjusting not only the volume of the fatty acid ester used, but also by changing or mixing fatty acid esters, the hardness, slip, and applicability can be further adjusted.

[0023] Side-by-side comparisons were conducted between the invention, and petroleum-based and non-petroleum-based winter sport waxes by multiple individuals. The invention performed as well if not better for slip, applicability, and durability when compared to petroleum-based and non-petroleum-based winter sport waxes.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with respect to the following non-limiting examples:

Example 1

[0025] A formulation for a warm temperature wax:

TABLE-US-00001 Material Wt. % Cetyl Stearate 45% Fully Hydrogenated Soy Wax 27% Beeswax 18% Candelilla 3% coco caprate/caprylate 7%

Example 2

[0026] A formulation for an all-temperature wax:

TABLE-US-00002 Material Wt. % Stearyl behenate 45% Fully Hydrogenated Soy Wax 27% Beeswax 18% Candelilla 3% coco caprate/caprylate 7%

Example 3

[0027] A formulation for a cold temperature wax:

TABLE-US-00003 Material Wt. % behenyl behenate 45% Fully Hydrogenated Soy Wax 27% Beeswax 18% Candelilla 3% Coco caprate/caprylate 7%

[0028] Ingredients were mixed in a single pot and heated until melted. The molten wax is then poured into molds and allowed to cool. Hardened wax can easily be applied to winter sport equipment bases.