Using Machinable Wax

Machinable wax is an extremely hard wax that has been formulated to deliver exceptional machining properties including high resolution detail. Since it is harder and has a higher melting temperature than most other waxes, machinable wax can be machined, cut, or shaped using standard metalworking or woodworking equipment. High quality surface detail and dimensional accuracy are possible. Machinable wax is ideal for verifying CNC machining programs. Machinable wax is often used for precision lost wax casting. Machinable Wax is available in both blocks and cylinders. We stock the most commonly requested sizes and can usually provide alternate sizes on request.

Typical applications include:

  • Prototyping
  • Dental CAD/CAM
  • Jewelry Manufacturing
  • Precision Lost Wax Casting
  • Used as a bolus/compensator for electron or proton therapy
  • Mold making
  • Manufacture of turbines and pump impellers

Machinable wax offers distinct advantages over other prototyping materials for some applications. The product is environmentally friendly and the shavings produce no harmful dust or hazardous odors. The material is self-lubricating and easy on tooling.

Machinable wax can be recycled

The shavings and unused pieces of material can be re-melted and formed back into useable material. This attribute can substantially reduce the cost of using machinable wax over other materials. We have put together a short video that shows the recycling process done on a small scale.


 

Machinable wax can be used as a mold:

The self-releasing properties of machinable wax make it an ideal choice to use as a master model. Epoxies and polyurethanes can be poured directly onto the wax surface without the need for sealers or release agents. You can also bond machinable wax pieces together by using a cyanoacrylate adhesive (Super Glue, Crazy Glue, etc.) or for smaller pieces a spray on adhesive such as the #90 Hi-Strength Spray Adhesive from the 3M company can work well.

Suggested Machining Information and tips for Machinable Wax:

Some small CNC machines can't reach the RPM or feed rate shown below. That's okay. A good rule of thumb and starting point is... If you can't mill it in aluminum with your settings, then you probably can't mill it in machinable wax. Using a small cutter under 1/2" diameter, you can still get great results with spindle speeds as low as 1000 RPM and feed rates as low as 10 inches per minute. Generally, you'll get the best results by using a cutter design and spindle speed that allows you to effectively clear the chips from the cutting area. Cutters with fewer flutes or teeth and deep gullets are generally better for clearing chips. If you are running at high spindle speeds or using cutters smaller than .050", you might benefit by using compressed air, a vacuum, or coolant as a way to keep the wax cool and remove the chips from the cutting area. Ineffective chip removal or too-deep cuts will often result in "compaction" or a poor surface finish. If you have tried everything above and you still can't get a clean surface finish, you might want to view our video and take a look at the tool for high pressure cleaning. Again, this issue is pretty much exclusive to using small cutters under 1mm (0.04") diameter. This is where you might also consider using some of our specialty machining waxes. With larger cutters, the best option is to choose our standard BLUE wax and don't look back.

(This example was obtained using 1/2" end mill. If you slow down the feed rate then you can reduce the RPM):

  • Roughing: Spindle speed 3,000 rpm at ~ 100 inches per minute
  • Finishing: Spindle speed 8,000 to 10,000 rpm at ~ 40-100 inches per minute

 

Regarding coloring...

... It is a misconception that the color of machinable wax represents its material characteristics. Some manufacturers produce wax materials in different hardnesses and use different dyes to indicate their hardness. You can not compare one color of wax to another manufacturers product and hope to understand any of its material properties. The only way to compare hardness or any other property of a wax blend is to compare its specifications. We provide a lot of detail on our product so that you can make an accurate assesment. We specifically chose our blue and green colorings as an aid to enhance visual accuity.

Specifications for our BLUE Machinable Wax:

Extremely hard, hybrid plasticized wax blend. Recommended for high resolution CNC milling and turning. This wax is somewhat more flexible than our green or purple blend. Available in small, medium and large pieces. Excellent choice for parts with high but delicate components such as turbine blades. This wax is too tough to be considered carveable. Usually the first choice for lathe or turning applications. The Safety Data Sheet is available here.

  • Hardness: 53 (Shore "D" Scale)
  • Penetration @77 deg. F, 150g (dmm) = 13.0
  • Specific Gravity: 0.92
  • Specific Density: 0.92949 grams / cubic cm
  • Flash Point (COC): 575 degrees F
  • Melt Point (Ring & Ball Method): 240 degrees F (116C)
  • Viscosity 270 degrees F = 3,035cP
  • Volumetric Shrinkage (for recycling, from melting point to room temp): 5% typical
  • Ash content for lost wax casting applications is low (.0066%)
  • Flexural Modulus 479 Average (N/mm)
  • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in./in. ºF): 9.5 x 10-5
  • Coloring: blue dye, permanent, oil base

Specifications for our F-14 GREEN Machinable Wax:

 

Extremely hard, hybrid plasticized wax blend. F-14 GREEN is somewhat less flexible than our standard blue wax and so it may reduce clean-up time if you are using very small diameter milling cutters or burrs. This wax has been processed using our exclusive "MicroFine" process. Recommended for high resolution CNC milling and turning. This wax is slightly harder than our blue wax blend. Works great when using extremely small milling cutters ( less than .050") and high spindle speeds. Available in small, medium and large pieces. Although this wax is quite hard, it is considered to be carveable. Great choice for dental lab applications and many jewelry applications. The Safety Data Sheet is available here.

  • Hardness: 55 (Shore "D" Scale)
  • Specific Gravity: 0.92
  • Specific Density: 0.03472 pounds / cubic inch or, 0.9137 grams / cubic cm
  • Flash Point (COC): 575 degrees F
  • Melt Point (Ring & Ball Method): 240 degrees F (116C)
  • Viscosity; 270 degrees F = 2650cP; 350 degrees F = 1,000cP
  • Volumetric Shrinkage (for recycling, from melting point to room temp): 5% typical
  • Ash content for lost wax casting applications is low (less than .00564%)
  • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in./in. ºF): 9.5 x 10-5
  • Coloring: green dye, permanent, oil base

 

Specifications for our ORANGE+ Machinable Wax:

 

This is a premium, hybrid plasticized wax blend. ORANGE+ is a considerably different formula than our other waxes. Cleanup time is substantially reduced when using very fine cutters (e.g. smaller than 0.05" or 1.5mm). Recommended for high resolution CNC milling and turning. This wax is slightly softer than our blue wax blend. Available in small to medium pieces and large pieces on request. This wax is very carveable. Great choice for dental lab applications and many jewelry applications. The Safety Data Sheet is available here.

  • Hardness: 45 (Shore "D" Scale)
  • Specific Gravity: 0.92
  • Specific Density: 0.9156 grams / cubic cm
  • Flash Point (COC): 575 degrees F
  • Melt Point (Ring & Ball Method): 221 degrees F (105C)
  • Viscosity 270 degrees F = 2275cP
  • Volumetric Shrinkage (for recycling, from melting point to room temp): 5% typical
  • Ash content for lost wax casting applications is low (.0074%)
  • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in./in. ºF): 9.5 x 10-5
  • Coloring: orange dye, permanent, oil base

 

Specifications for our F-99 (Arctic) Machinable Wax:

 

This is a premium, hybrid plasticized wax blend. Our F-99 (often called Arctic) machinable wax has been created to make the process of adding other non-related waxes to an already machined surface. Softer, paraffin based waxes will usually adhere to the surface of F-99 waxes. It is sometimes used as an "adhesive" when you need to "glue" two pieces of machinable wax together. Reduced cleanup time after machining similar to ORANGE+ when using very fine cutters (e.g. smaller than 0.05" or 1.5mm). Recommended for high resolution CNC milling and turning. This wax is softer than our blue wax blend. Available in small to medium pieces and large pieces on request. This wax is very carveable. Great choice for dental lab applications and many jewelry applications. The Safety Data Sheet is available here.

  • Hardness: 45 (Shore "D" Scale)
  • Specific Gravity: 0.92
  • Specific Density: 0.03472 pounds / cubic inch or, 0.9137 grams / cubic cm
  • Flash Point (COC): 575 degrees F
  • Melt Point (Ring & Ball Method): 219 degrees F (104C)
  • Viscosity 270 degrees F = 1000cP
  • Volumetric Shrinkage (for recycling, from melting point to room temp): 5% typical
  • Ash content for lost wax casting applications is extremely low (not measurable by our methods)
  • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in./in. ºF): 9.5 x 10-5
  • Coloring: blue dye, permanent, oil base

 

Specifications for our Print2Cast 3D Filament Wax:

 

This is a premium, hybrid plasticized wax blend. Our Print2Cast wax has been created specifically for extruding through a heated head for 3D printing. We offer this wax in a filament form. The Safety Data Sheet is available here.

  • Hardness: 50 (Shore "D" Scale)
  • Specific Gravity: 0.92
  • Specific Density: 0.91238 grams / cubic cm
  • Flash Point (COC): 575 degrees F
  • Melt Point (Ring & Ball Method): 242 degrees F (117C)
  • Viscosity 270 degrees F = 34,400cP
  • Volumetric Shrinkage (for recycling, from melting point to room temp): 5% typical
  • Ash content for lost wax casting applications is low (.004%)
  • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in./in. ºF): 9.5 x 10-5
  • Coloring: blue dye, permanent, oil base

 

Specifications for 2-U660 Machinable Casting Wax:

 

The properties of this machinable casting wax are closer to a traditional casting wax.  The melt point is much lower than our other machinable waxes.  The viscosity is also much lower allowing for quick evacuation of the wax at meltout.  If you  have worked with lost wax casting before and are being challenged with the higher viscosity and melting temperatures of our other machinable waxes then 2-U660 may be a good choice.  You can normally use the same process as you would in a typical casting application.

2-U660 has a congealing point between 140 & 148°F, but should be melted to 200/250°F, poured into an insulated mold and allowed to cool. During machining no lubricant should be used, but air should be kept on the tool to carry off chips and keep the tool cool.

  • Hardness: 30 (Shore "D" Scale)
  • Needle penetration @77º F (dmm) Is 32.0
  • Specific Gravity: 0.918
  • Specific Density: 0.03472 pounds / cubic inch or, 0.9137 grams / cubic cm
  • Flash Point (COC): 575 degrees F
  • Melt Point (Ring & Ball Method): 150º F (66ºC)
  • Viscosity 270 degrees F = 500cP (estimated until verification)
  • Volumetric Shrinkage (for recycling, from melting point to room temp): 5% typical
  • Ash content for lost wax casting applications is low (.0020%)
  • Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in./in. ºF): 9.5 x 10-5
  • Coloring: red dye, permanent, oil base

Specifications for RIGIDAX Tooling & Fixturing Waxes:

 

Rigidax tooling compound is a castable, thermoplastic material. lt has been designed to stabilize, support or hold parts that are otherwise difficult to fixture. It is melted to fluid form and then poured in or around the part. After machining, the Rigidax compound can be melted out and the parts are cleaned. There are several blends of Rigidax that have been designed for various applications.

We have a page on the site that offers a considerable amount of information on Rigidax and how to use it. You'll also find information on removing Rigidax after your process is complete. You can find that information here... Rigidax Tooling Waxes

DOWNLOAD A COMPLETE SPEC SHEET FOR ALL RIGIDAX VARIATIONS

 

Our Guarantee

We promise that you'll be happy with the product and service that you receive from us or we will make it right. If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, simply return the unused portion to us within 90 days of purchase. Include a brief explanation and we will issue a full refund for the unused portion of your order.