Polyurethane is a plastic material that is characterized by being formed by more or less intertwined polymer chains, resulting in materials that can be from very soft to completely rigid in consistency.
Polyurethane is composed of a very versatile family of polymers, since it is a material that has multiple, very different applications and can be applied in, for example, paints, fibers, adhesives, foams, textiles or aqueous dispersions, among others. others.
When selecting the optimal release agent for each polyurethane system, it is necessary to take into account the chemical requirements and the process in which it will be used . The chemical requirements are related to the type of polyol, isocyanate and foaming agent used.
Concentrol’s mold release agents have been developed after years of intense research from the additives division . Molded polyurethane parts are found in a wide variety of sectors and applications , and can be classified by foam type and process type. One of these groups is flexible whole skin foams , which will be discussed in detail in this article.
Full leather is a material used in multiple sectors for the manufacture of specific parts, such as armrests, steering wheels, trim or gear shift knobs in the automotive and transportation sectors in general; pieces of furniture , such as chairs, legs, armrests or seats in public spaces; in the rest sector in general; and other sectors such as construction, toys and sports equipment. A final sector in which these formulations are of vital importance is footwear .
In this type of formulations, the finishes are very important, since the noble leather-like appearance is mainly achieved with satin or matte finishes , which opens up new applications and possibilities for pieces made with this material.
Type of release agents for flexible polyurethane
Within the sector of flexible foams for integral skin we can find different types of release agents depending on their formulation:
- Solvent-based integral leather flexible polyurethane release agent
- Release agent for flexible water-based integral leather polyurethane
- Release agent for flexible integral leather polyurethane, water-based, concentrated to dilute
- Release agents for flexible integral leather polyurethane based on concentrated solvent to dilute
- Release agent for flexible hybrid integral skin polyurethane
- Release agent for flexible internal integral skin polyurethane
- Release agent for flexible full-skin polyurethane in solvent-based paste
- Internal release agent for thermoplastic polyurethane
Characteristics and properties of molded parts
Flexible pieces with integral skin should not present any surface defects, since manufacturers look for products that help them unmold perfect pieces .
The fact that a finished garment has an important similarity with a fur-lined garment means that the use of this type of application is increasing. Taking into account that many steering wheels today are completely covered with leather, it is crucial that the material is easy to treat to ensure perfect adhesion of the leather to the steering wheel . In this sense, work is usually done by cleaning the areas where it is necessary to glue the leather, whether natural or synthetic, using solvent products or water and surfactants. In addition, the least toxicity and aggressiveness of the cleaning liquids used is sought.
Another very important aspect for the finished piece is providing the right gloss that meets the customer’s requirements. In many cases, this is complex to achieve, since the molds are also critical to the final finish of the part. The same release agent can result in products with very varied shines, which depends on whether the garment has a more or less thick engraving or a completely smooth surface. A rough engraving will always result in a much more matte finish than a smooth one.
Concentrol references
Concentrol references are designed for various applications, such as air filters, ground carpets, automobile steering wheels, footwear and integral parts in general.
Each of the references has its own characteristics that vary depending on its formulation, such as the shiny and natural appearance, the low accumulation of dirt in the mold, the possibility of diluting or working at high temperatures, among others.
Professionals who work with these formulations must be clear about whether they prefer products with glossy, matte or satin finishes, since each one produces a different appearance .
Professionals who mold polyurethane trust Concentrol references and affirm that these are a guarantee of quality . Among other aspects, the company’s products meet requirements such as product reliability and effectiveness , supply security thanks to its large stock, specialized technical and commercial service, and quality and environmental care certifications, such as ISO 9001: 2008 and ISO 14001.
Concentrol is a company that innovates with chemistry to add value and guarantee the present and future well-being of society. The professionals who work there strive every day to improve their products and develop new products according to the real needs of the professional sector. For this reason, there is great flexibility and agility to adapt chemical products to specific production processes, which is highly appreciated by professionals in the sector.
