Mold Release Agents

Mold release agents are used to prevent a substrate bonding to a molding surface. Without the use of a mold release barrier, the material being cast would fuse to the mold. This can have a significant impact on the quality and effectiveness of the molding process. Mold release agents are an essential part of  the rubber, plastic, and composite molding process.

Mold release agents work by creating a barrier between the substrate and the surface of the mold. This barrier eliminates adhesion between the two materials, preventing mold damage and ensuring quick and easy release from the mold. The  coating is applied to the surface of the mold before the substrate is cast. Semi-permanent mold release agents do not have to be reapplied after every use but will continue to provide a barrier for a number of applications. Mold release agents are also known as anti-blocking agents, surface lubricants, parting agents, and slip aids. Henkel’s LOCTITE^® FREKOTE^® brand offers a number of different mold releases agent products that support mold casting processes.

Contact us to find out more about our mold release agents and the other products in our range.

Types of Mold Release Agents

Mold release agents are employed in a number of industries in order to make production processes more efficient. They allow the substrate to be released quickly from the mold and prevent the two surfaces sticking together, something that can easily result in damage to the substrate.

In order to meet the needs of different manufacturers, Henkel has developed a range of both silicone and solvent-based mold release agents. Incredibly effective, most of these products cure at room temperature.

Mold release agents are either permanent or semi-permanent. The type selected will depend on the requirements of the manufacturer and the substrate used.

Semi-Permanent Mold Release Agents

Semi-permanent mold release agents, allow for multiple releases before reapplication is required. These types of mold release agents are designed to prevent contaminating transfer and mold build-up, extending the useful life of the mold. LOCTITE^® semi-permanent mold release agents can also improve cosmetic finish on many composite parts.

Silicone mold release agents are a type of sacrificial mold release agent often used for releasing sand cores from metal tooling in the precision sand casting industry. Silicone release agents contain a special lubricant that provides optimum release along with surface conditioning on any metal or plastic mold.

Epoxy release agents are used to mold composites that use an epoxy resin. These types of composites are common in the sporting goods, aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.  

Sacrificial Mold Release Agents

FREKOTE^® Sacrificial mold release agents are conventional, rather than semi-permanent mold release agents. They are abled to be applied to different substrates, providing flexibility benefits for operations that work with a number of different substrates or composite materials.

Contact us to find out more about our mold release agents and the other products in our range.

Mold Release Agent Applications

Different mold release agents are designed to work with different types of substrates. In most cases, products are developed as either rubber or composite release agents.

Composite

Composites are made up of a number of materials resulting in a product with its own unique properties. As a result, they require specialist composite release agents during the molding process.

Composite mold release agents can be used during the production of molded fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP). EFR can be used with highly abrasive composite mold materials, like polymer concrete. The correct composite mold release agent should always be used to ensure the best possible results from the production process.

Rubber

Rubber release agents are commonly used to allow the quick and easy release of rubber during the molding process. The LOCTITE^® FREKOTE^® brand also offers silicone-based rubber mold release agents that works well at room temperatures as well as in elevated cure systems.

Industrial Applications of Mold Release Agents

Mold release agents are used to help manufacturers create accurate molded parts quickly and easily. Mold release products can significantly improve production times and help to prevent faults in molded products.   

Boat Building Industry

A lot of manufacturers in the boat building industry use composite materials, such as fiberglass reinforced polyester, to make parts and accessories. Composite release agents ensure that these parts can be removed easily from their molds and that molds aren’t damaged by unwanted adhesion during the production process, while maintaining the cosmetic finish of the part.

Specialized release agents should be used when working with composite mold materials, including fiberglass reinforced polyester, polymer concrete and advanced composites. Using the correct mold release agent will optimize the results of the production process.

Rubber Goods Industry

Molds are often used to shape rubber parts and accessories such as those found in many automotive applications. Without the use of rubber release agents, the substrate would adhere to the mold during production. This can result in damage to the finished product and a slower manufacturing process. A rubber mold release agent will create a protective film between the rubber and the mold that allows for quick removal from the mold while maintaining part details. This will prevent adhesion between the two surfaces and prevent mold fouling, extending the useful life of the tool.