Oxidized Polyethylene Wax
- Polymers
- CAS 68441-17-8
Oxidized Polyethylene Wax (CAS 68441-17-8) appears in 2 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026).
Very low health concern. Oxidized polyethylene wax is a solid polymer with negligible vapor pressure; no inhalation risk under normal use. Not a skin sensitizer. Not Prop 65 listed.
Oxidized polyethylene wax is a hard synthetic wax produced by controlled oxidation of polyethylene. The oxidation introduces carboxyl and hydroxyl groups that improve compatibility with other wax types (carnauba, paraffin) and enhance adhesion to painted surfaces.
In car care products it functions as a hardening agent and film modifier — it stiffens softer natural waxes, improves durability, and can ease the "buff-off" step by modifying the coefficient of friction of the cured film.
Environmentally, it is a non-biodegradable polymer but is insoluble in water at normal use concentrations and presents no aquatic toxicity concern at the trace levels used in car wax formulations.
Health & environment profile
- VOC
- no
- Prop 65 listed
- no
- Asthmagen
- no
- EPA Safer Choice
- no
- Aquatic toxicity
- no
- Biodegradable
- no
- Bioaccumulative
- no
- Persistent
- yes
- Ozone depleting
- no
- Microplastic
- no
- PFAS
- no
- Env. score
- 3/5
Common questions about Oxidized Polyethylene Wax
- What is Oxidized Polyethylene Wax used for in car care?
- Wax film hardener, slip modifier, buffer release aid
- Is Oxidized Polyethylene Wax a VOC?
- No. Oxidized Polyethylene Wax is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
- Is Oxidized Polyethylene Wax on California's Proposition 65 list?
- No. Oxidized Polyethylene Wax is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
2 products contain this
Prop 65
Related
Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.