WHAT ARE HYDROCARBON WAXES?
Until the mid-1980s, most ski waxes were relatively simple compounds called hydrocarbons, containing exclusively hydrogen and carbon. They effectively reduce (dry friction) but are only fair, or even poor solutions to other (friction) components. Most hydrocarbons are derived from crude oil E”natural waxes” E or coal E”synthetic waxes Eand are available in a variety of hardness grades. Synthetics are particularly hard and brittle and are typically used as hardeners for petroleum-derived waxes, although they can be used alone in extreme cold conditions. Hydrocarbons are inexpensive. Hydrocarbon waxes include the DOMINATOR HX series, ZOOM, ZOOM Backshop, and Renew Zoom.
