Mold release agents for rubber and tire manufacturing

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Mold release agents for rubber must combine the easy release of cured parts with the adequate protection of the mold. Rubber compounds are usually designed to be resistant to the most chemically aggressive environments. That is the reason why they are mostly produced on the basis of chemically very abrasive compounds. In order to protect the mold surfaces from those special use elastomers, rubber release agents must create an effective barrier against primarily chemical, but also mechanical attack. In this post you will find everything you need to know about rubber and tire manufacturing mold release agents. Further on we point out the key factors to select the proper rubber release agent regardless of the type of industrial application.
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Characteristics of mold release agents for rubber (and tire manufacturing)

As many other release agents used in other industries, rubber release agents are designed to provide a physical barrier that prevents the rubber compound (elastomer) from sticking to the mold surface. Non-sticking and lubricity properties should be the primary aim of all rubber mold release agents. However, due to the abrasiveness of the compounds used in rubber industry and especially in tire manufacturing, rubber release agents must adequately protect the mold from that chemical attack. The correct formulation of this type of release agents, requires to evaluate both the possible wear of the release coating and the shape of the mold. Because of that, rubber release agents are based on a concentrated emulsion of high performance polymers (water-based) designed to ensure multiple releases as well as to protect the mold surface. AITANA CHEMICALS rubber release agents are specially designed to be used in the production of:
  • automotive industry components
  • pneumatic tires
  • conveyor belts
  • engineering parts
  • footwear
  • and all other types of products made with rubber.
Depending on the particular application, we design the adequate power the rubber release agent must provide. Together with our partners, we are able to adapt mold release agents to the needs of our customers. We have been involved in multiple projects to optimize moldings processes to the particular needs of our customers. In case you have any specific needs related to molding, do not hesitate to contact us and we will prepare an offer according to your needs.

Key factors to choose suitable rubber release agents

In the choice of a mold release agent for rubber or tire manufacturing we should take into account the following things:
  • not activation temperature required. Such a limitation will cause downtimes and a decrease in the number of molding cycles throughout the day.
  • low transfer (contamination) of the release agent to the molded part. No cleaning works then required on the molded part. That is a very frequent problem in tires manufacturing due to the use of mica in most of the release agents available in the market.
  • amount of molding cycles after each release agent application. Mold release agents for rubber should allow us multiple demolding after each application.
  • easy application. We must bear in mind that in this type of industry we often find very complex-shaped molds. Sometimes, a bigger slip is needed.
  • solvent-free products. Thanks to them we achieve cleaner, safer and healthier working environments.
  • chemical stability. The quality of rubber release agents is very linked to the expiration term provided by the producer.
  • low level of in-mold buildup or mold fouling
  • no colour degradation in Teflon, vulcanized silicones and other types of elastomers

Conclusion

Rubber and tire manufacturing release agents must be formulated to protect the molds surface from highly corrosive compounds. They should ensure the necessary abrasion resistance. At the same time, they must guarantee as well the necessary non-sticking and extra lubricity to the mold surface to facilitate the ease release of molded parts. Thanks to our close collaboration with our strategic partners we can assure the experience and the capability to optimize the power the rubber release agent must provide depending on each particular application. If you want to know more about this topic, we recommend you read our complete guide of mold release agents.
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