The Double Edged Sword of Epoxy
Adhesiveness
Carbon fibers, offering the highest stiffness-to-weight
ratio of all fibers, are the most commonly used form of
reinforcement materials used in advanced composites. The
most widely used matrixes when working with carbon
reinforcements are epoxy resins because of their high
strength and stiffness, low emission of volatiles, and
excellent adhesion to reinforcements or substrates. The
universal problem is how to overcome the excellent
adhesion of epoxies when demolding a formed part.
Carefully selecting and applying the right mold release
is a critical step in the making of a mold from a plug,
or a part from a mold. The mold release will allow
separation from the plug or mold once the materials used
to construct the part have cured. If the part does not
release properly from the mold, the plug or mold could
be damaged or destroyed.
Robert Renshaw of Rexco says, “Partall Hi-Temp Wax is
favored by users of epoxy resins and carbon fiber. From
Ferrari Racing to Lockheed Martin Corp., we have had
very positive response to this premium mold release
agent.”
Partall Hi-Temp Wax, with DuPont’s Teflon®
(polytetrafluoroethylene - PTFE) is a very creamy paste
wax designed for use on epoxy, polyester, aluminum and
steel molds. Partall Hi-Temp Wax can be used to release
epoxy, polyesters, vinylesters, phenolics and most
adhesives based on those materials. Due to its smooth
consistency, it is easier to apply to the mold than
other paste waxes. Partall Hi-Temp Wax is a
fluorocarbon/wax based compound, and does not contain
any silicone materials, so there is no silicone
contamination problems associated with its use. The
normal temperature range for using Partall Hi-Temp Wax
is room temperature to 177ºC.
Mr. Renshaw, a Certified Composites Technician
Instructor, goes on to say, “PTFE is inert to virtually
all chemicals and is considered the most slippery
material in existence. The coefficient of static and
dynamic friction is nearly equal to the level of wet ice
on wet ice. The use of PTFE in our HI-Temp Wax overcomes
the bond strength of epoxy resins that can approach 140
Kgram/centimeter² as compared to that of polyesters at
about 20 Kgram/centimeter². It has been a remarkable
product for Rexco and manufacturers using these types of
advanced materials are open to the higher costs if they
provide better quality.”
REXCO manufactures PARTALL,
FORMULA FIVE, and
MARBALEASE
mold care products for the fiberglass and cultured
marble industries. Partall Hi-Temp Wax is available from
better distributors in thirty-eight (38) countries
worldwide.
CONTACT:
Robert Renshaw, CCT-I Managing Director
Mobile: +1-770-827-4256
Telephone: +1-770-483-7610, Ext. 11
Fax: +1-770-483-8550
Email: robert@rexco-usa.com
Website: http://www.rexco-usa.com
###
