Urethane Mold Release for SPF Insulation Application
In addition to effectively eliminating build-up on a mold with a light, dry coating, did you know Slide’s Urethane Mold Release (#458) is also widely used for other practical applications outside of injection molding?
Within the injection molding industry, this silicone-based formulation is well suited for urethane foam applications, especially popular in the automotive and related sectors. Examples might include car seats and wheels on items such as skateboards, shopping carts and similar.
However, urethane mold releases are also well suited in the prevention of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation from adhering to unwanted surfaces, application equipment and even people in the process of spraying it into a building. The insulation tends to expand significantly and subsequently bond to many types of materials.
The product can be sprayed on to the facemasks of insulation workers to ensure they have good visibility on the job. Other equipment that is protected includes spray gun nozzles, mix heads, hoses/lines, pumps and metering machines. Minimizing foam build-up on critical components prevents clogging, helps to ensure consistent spray patterns and overall extends the life of these instruments.
Application of these formulations to other non-porous surfaces like doors, windows, pipes and conduits ensures that overspray can be cleaned up easily without damaging surfaces. They can also be used as a protective barrier to protect walls and flooring as needed.
There are many advantages in the use of urethane mold releases in this application, including:
Quick, easy clean up on protective gear, equipment and other unintended surfaces
Reduced downtime with less frequent and intensive cleaning by preventing build‑up
Multiple release cycles from a single application increases productivity
Thin, dry coating won’t interfere with foam properties or leave residue
Specially designed to work with the inherent chemistry of polyurethane foams more effectively than generic release agents
Environmentally and user-friendly due to lack of toxic solvents
Versatility of application via aerosol spray or bulk systems
Slide factory expert Brian Bullard has had experience working with customers for these types of uses of our Urethane Mold Release. Asked about how Slide became aware of this growing sector, Brian states: “We noticed a few orders starting to come in from companies that sell to SPF-related companies and following up, we discovered that they were looking for an alternative to a release they had been using from a competitor. It turns out that Slide’s formulation is about half the price and equally or more effective. Now we have several customers who are purchasing the product for this use directly or having it packaged for themselves through our private labeling service. We’re seeing significant growth in this area and want to make sure our customers are aware of this potential.”
June is National Safety Month, and we are featuring an article that discusses various safety issues that are inherent in the injection molding industry. Training practices, regular maintenance, chemical handling, SDS, spills, storage and personal protective equipment (PPE) are all critical factors in minimizing the likelihood of work-related injuries. Read more...
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