Release Agents for Rotational Molding
Release agents and other process aids for rotomolding
Release agents for rotational molding, when properly selected and applied, can prevent prerelease, improve flow characteristics, and reduce or eliminate buildup. In short, the right release agent can give you more control over your process.
Busama® offers a full line of production-proven solvent-based and water-based release agents for rotational molding to suit any roto process. We also offer process aids for rotational molding, including flow promoters, mold cleaners, and specialty machine greases.
Busama® Technical Representatives have years of experience solving the most complex rotomolding challenges with programmed release technology and meticulously planned application methods. Contact Busama® today for process assistance and samples.
Supported Rotational Molding Materials
Our semi-permanent release agents for rotational molding are designed to work with a variety of thermoplastics.
Over 80% of the rotational molding industry uses one or more types of polyethylene (PE), also known as polythene, including:
- Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX, XPE, XLPE),
- Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE).
We also offer rotomolding release agents for traditional PVC materials and newer materials to the rotomolding industry like Nylon 6, ECTFE, polycarbonate, and polypropylene.
Benefits of our Rotational Mold Release Agents
- Controlled release of rotomolded parts
- Custom slip characteristics (low, medium, high)
- Tailored release and flow characteristics for complex parts
- Preserve mold details
- Protect expensive equipment from corrosion
- Maintain product geometries
- Chemically bond to the mold surface to prevent peeling, transfer, and flake-off
- Durability and abrasion resistance for multiple releases per application
- Easily diluted or delivered ready-to-spin
- High temperature tolerance
- Reduced need for touchup
- Highly automatable with custom viscosities available
Featured Release Agents for Rotational Molding
| Product | Base | Type | Description | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Busama® 787 | Water | Heat-cured | Semi-permanent with medium to low slip. | General rotomolding and flat-walled parts. |
Busama® 841 | Water | Heat-cured | Semi-permanent with medium to high slip. | All PE and PP, flanges and parting lines |
Busama® 841X2 | Water | Heat-cured | Semi-permanent w/ high slip. Versatile and dilutable. | All PE and PP |
Busama® 916 | Water | Heat-cured | Semi-permanent with low to medium slip. | Parts prone to pre-release, PP, PE |
Busama® 973 | Water | Heat-cured | Fast-cure, semi-permanent, dilutable | PE, PP, Nylon |
Busama® 974 | Water | Heat-cured | Faster cure with low slip. | Large parts prone to pre-release |
Busama® 1039 | Solvent | Fast drying | Highly durable, semi-permanent. | Cross-linked PE (XLPE), PP, Nylon |
Busama® 1135X3 | Water | Heat-cured | Semi-permanent and versatile | For most Roto processes |
Busama® 3030 | Water | Heat-cured | Semi-permanent with moderate slip. | All PE and PP |
Other Process Aids for Rotational Molding
| Product | Recommended for |
|---|---|
Busama® Flow Promoters | Tailored to your material and process. Applied over release agents to ensure adequate resin flow to difficult areas. |
Busama® MoS2 – 951A | Fortified, high-drop-point NLGI#2 machine grease. Apply to high wear areas up to 700F. |
Busama® 1042B | A dilutable, water-based mold cleaner |
* This is a list of featured products only. All Busama® products for rotomolding applications are not listed on this page. If you do not see the Busama® product you currently use listed above, this does not mean it has been discontinued. Contact Us to inquire about a product that is not listed above.
Common Issues Facing Rotomolders
Pre-Release and Warpage
Busama’s rotomolding release agents create a thin, even film along the mold wall delicate enough to mimic the substrate but durable enough to resist abrasion. We analyze the unique relationship that exists between every customer’s material and mold to provide a release agent that offers enough slip for effortless separation but not so much as to cause prerelease from the mold wall.
Surface Finish
The most important factor for excellent surface finish is the condition of the molding surface itself. Busama® release agents preserve mold details with thin, even coatings that compliment, but never diminish, the finest details. Our mold release technology also includes proprietary additives that help to protect your mold walls from corrosion, grime, and microscopic abrasions that lead to poorer surface finish over time and decrease the effective lifespan of rotational molds. Ask about our flow promoters to help prevent blemishes due to material starvation.
Color Swirl
“Swirling” is a result of excess static electricity buildup during rotational molding of dry, colored polymer resins. McLube’s line of rotational molding release agents reduce static buildup as resins wash over the mold surface during initial heating steps. Reduced static prevents particle separation, allowing for normal blending during the rotational molding process.
Is your rotomolding process experiencing pigmentation swirling?
Some rotational molders may simply be able to slow rotation during heating to prevent excess static. Contact McLube® and one of our experienced Technical Representatives will help you solve color consistency issues and, if necessary, seamlessly integrate our anti-static release agents into your existing process.
Release Agents
Rubber Mold Release – Re-bonded | Crumb – Hose Manufacturing – Tire Manufacturing Aids – Shoe Sole Manufacturing
Polyurethane Release Agents – Thermoplastics – Epoxy Mold Release – Rotational Molding – Food Processing and Medical
Composite Release Agents – Form Release and Polymer Concrete – High-Temperature – Wood Composite Release – Asphalt Release Agents