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Q&As since 1989


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Mold coatings for flexible polyurethane foam car seats

I work in the automotive industry here in tehran . we have many epoxy-based molds and aluminum molds. we produce flexible foam polyurethane for car seats. we apply release agent on the surface of the mold at per cycle conveyor. the release agent is a pollution material. we'd like to coat the mold surface with a coating so that it has low stick between the foam and the mold surface. Can you help me in this, please.

Mostafa Hassannia
polymer engineer - Tehran, Iran
2004

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Non-metallic molds can be sprayed with teflon like the one used in cookware. For metallic molds in my opinion Nickel-teflon is best, second best would be high phos plain electroless nickel and third best sprayed teflon depending on the adhesion and chemical formulation of your foam. Another possibility would be to use a non-pollutant release agent. There are formulations based on wax (beeswax [on eBay or Amazon] or petroleum paraffin).

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2004

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Dear Friend,
I think coating your resin mold with teflon would solve the problem but I think it would be an expensive solution. Why not use some proper mold release agents for the flexible PU foam. There are many options available.

Muhammad Abbas Ameer
- Karahi, Pakistan
2007