{"id":1541,"date":"2008-02-29T15:55:54","date_gmt":"2008-02-29T20:55:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=1541"},"modified":"2018-02-09T14:06:07","modified_gmt":"2018-02-09T20:06:07","slug":"pe-choosing-right-mold-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/1541\/pe-choosing-right-mold-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the Right Mold Release"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Slide Products, Inc. <\/a><\/p>\n

Take control of those “sticky” parts<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Why do some parts just refuse to let go? Well, there are a couple of possibilities. It might be a mechanical situation like an undercut. Or it might be chemical adhesion. The result is pretty much the same. The part doesn’t come out freely, “hangs up,” is damaged, deformed or has a surface blemish.<\/p>\n

Regardless, it impacts cycle times and cuts into your profitability. A mold release might be the best option to keep stubborn parts in check.<\/p>\n

How do you pick the right mold release?<\/em><\/p>\n

There are many types of mold releases: silicones, paintables, vegetable oils, PTFE’s, waxes, etc. Here’s how to choose.<\/p>\n

1) Are you looking for a “universal” release to help avoid having several release agents in your plant? This will probably give you a less than best release for some jobs. But you can avoid possible part contamination if you use a single all-purpose release. Slide Universal Mold Release<\/a> fits the bill for this application.<\/p>\n

2) Will parts require sonic welding or be finished by painting, hot stamping, screen printing, pad printing, vacuum metalizing, electroplating, etc.? Some releases cause adhesion problems. Often the lack of good adhesion is not apparent until after the part is in service. If any molded parts are to be decorated post-molding, be certain to use a “paintable” mold release agent.<\/p>\n

3) Are FDA approvals required? Medical molding and parts for food applications may require a release that has FDA approval.<\/p>\n

4) Is UL recognition required?<\/p>\n

5) Are you molding a solvent sensitive resin? Styrenics such as ABS, Styrene, Polycarbonate, SAN, etc. are sensitive to chlorinated solvents that can cause surface blemishes or stress cracking. Polycarbonate is well known for stress cracking after the part is put in service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n