The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Mold Release Agent for Your Manufacturing Process
But with our guidance and knowledge, you can be confident that your business will have a tailored product shelf that ensures a speedy and efficient molding process! We are always prepared to field your questions and provide insights into the most valuable products for your molding operations. Get in touch with us today for help in choosing the right mold release for your specific process.
How to Choose a Mold Release Agent
When you choose a mold release agent, you might be overwhelmed by the choices available – don't be! We understand this choice's difficulty, and we have structured our inventory to help you find the right product. From semi-permanent release agents that allow multiple releases per application to water-based releases for various types of molded parts, you can find it all here at Stoner Molding. Here are the steps you can follow to find the right product for your specific molding process.
1. What Material is Being Molded?
There are many types of mold release agents that are typically formulated with a specific molding material in mind. you probably know that an easy rule of thumb is to use silicone-based agents with non-silicone molded products and vice-versa. But you should also know that silicone can leave residue behind, interfering with post-mold processing. You should always look to the manufacturer's guidelines and see what materials are recommended for the release agent. There are some general guidelines for how to think about the agent:
- If you are using plastic: Ensure compatibility with your plastic (polyethylene vs. polypropylene)
- If you are using rubber: Prioritize low-stick agents for cleaner release
- If you are using composites: You need release agents that won't affect the composite mixture
- If you are using polyurethane: Use release agents that can withstand high temperatures
Resins are an extremely diverse and broad molding category, requiring you to carefully consider the products you us. Our Kant-Stick release agent is versatile and an excellent example of the type of agent you should consider for processes involving these materials. Some general-use release agents are viable across multiple materials, but you should always consult an expert to know how your process may be affected!
2. What is Your Molding Process?
The process of your molding will make a massive difference in the effectiveness and success of your release agent. Consider the tools and equipment that are involved in creating your finished product.
- Injection molding: A fast-paced molding process that requires agents that provide easy release and, ideally, last for multiple cycles. Our A34 Rapid Release formula is an example of what to look for.
- Compression molding: An intensive molding process requires a high-strength mold release agent that can withstand high heat and pressure.
- Extrusion: Requires a minimal amount of release agents that can provide easy part removal from the molds and prevent build up.
- Thermoforming: Requires molding release agents that will stand up against the heat of formation, like our A373 Fluoroelastomer Mold Release.
3. Ease of Application and Cleaning
What is your molding process? You may have specific needs and requirements for how the mold release agent should be applied, while some processes are flexible enough to allow your employees to choose an easier application method, such as an aerosol. For faster molding cycles, you may choose a longer-lasting semi-permanent release agent that will survive multiple cycles or an easy-to-clean sacrificial agent which is removed from the finished product. Application methods: Aerosol spray, brush-on, and wipe-on are all common application methods to consider. We ensure that each of our products is available in multiple forms and sizes to ensure they are easily integrated into your business.
- Removal: Some release agents are semi-permanent, designed to stick more firmly in place to provide consistent release. Other agents are sacrificial, creating a layer that can be cleaned off with our quality mold cleaners and a simple rinse. In contrast, others may require more thorough cleaning between applications.
4. Regulatory Compliance
You must remember this critical consideration throughout your shopping process. Many molding industries require strict compliance with the materials used throughout your molding process.
- Health Safety: Food-grade and body-safe materials are critical for any food or healthcare product that consumers will be directly interacting with, such as food containers or medical appliances and tools. Our inventory of products can be filtered to include these considerations. For example, our water-based general mold release, B445, is an excellent food-grade mold release agent for extruded and molded HIPS, HDPE, PET, PETG, and similar materials.
- Emissions Standards: The chemicals you use in your business are likely under some environmental safety standard, such as minimal volatile organic compounds or toxic chemicals.
We are proud to prioritize green emission standards and have made efforts to use healthier, safer chemical products throughout our formulations.
Release Your Stress Thanks to High-Quality Mold Release Agents from Stoner Molding!
Your frustration with poor-quality mold results is our driving force! We are a company that is committed to providing industrial molding companies with the products they need to ensure the best results possible!
Your molding production needs are constantly changing as you tighten your process, learn new information, and discover new formulations in the market. You should always have an expert molding supply company on hand to help you stay abreast of the latest changes and provide you with keen insights into how to improve your processes with the right mold release agent – call us today!