Abstract: The selfemulsifying polyethylene wax was prepared by saponifing polyethylene wax grafted with maleic anhydride (PEW-g-MAH), and the effects of solid content and emulsifying conditions on the selfemulsifying capability of selfemulsifying polyethylene wax and the appearance, dispersion, stability and particle size of the resulting polyethylene wax emulsion were investigated. The results indicated that the solid content of polyethylene wax emulsion is the main influence factor for the emulsifying capability of selfemulsifying polyethylene wax. Only when the solid content is higher than 30 %, the polyethylene wax emulsion could achieve a excellent dispersion, longterm stability and uniform particle size. The emulsion conditions like temperature, time and stirring rate also presented some influences, and however the effect of emulsion temperature on the emulsion properties of selfemulsifying polyethylene wax was more significant. The overhigh or overlow emulsion temperature was disadvantageous to the dispersion and stability of polyethylene wax emulsion. The optimum emulsion temperature for the selfemulsifying polyethylene wax was determined as 130 ℃ when prepared by saponifing PEWgMAH.