Water-based Release Agents

This page provides an introduction to McLube’s water-based release technology as well as a selection of water-based release options for various industries. For more industry-specific information and featured products by application, browse our release agents by material and specialty application, or contact McLube® for expert process assistance and samples.

McLube® offers a consummate line of water-based release agents for a variety of processes and materials. Our water-based mold release agents are safer for the operator, better for the environment, and generally less expensive than solvent-based alternatives, especially when diluted inhouse. McLube’s water-based mold release agents contain proprietary emulsifiers, surfactant technology, and anti-rust additives to ensure excellent release performance and wetting characteristics while also protecting molds and equipment from rust and abrasion over time.

Featured Products

Product	Description
McLube® 860	A versatile, semi-permanent release agent that furnishes an exceedingly durable, non-transferring film thin enough to preserve minute tooling details and cause very little buildup over time. Will provide maximum releases per application for most tenacious polymers, resins, and elastomers. Cure Type: Heat-cured
McLube® 841	A semi-permanent coating that will provide multiple releases per application for most tenacious polymers, resins, and elastomers. Similar to McLube® 860 with additional additives for extra slip and tooling protection. Cure Type: Heat-cured
McLube® 968	A colloidal dispersion of finely divided polytetrafluoroethylene particles (PTFE, Teflon®) and film formers designed to release all natural and synthetic rubbers from metallic and nonmetallic surfaces. Cure Type: When dry
McLube® 1212	Ideal release coating for epoxies, phenolics, urethanes, BMI’s, and other resins and binders. May be applied to hot or ambient-temperature surfaces. Cure Type: When dry
McLube® 3013	A versatile emulsion of fluorinated resins ideally formulated for release of most natural and synthetic rubbers, plastics, urethanes, and compression-molded composites (BMC, SMC). Mimics the surface of the mold for improved aesthetics and surface finish. Cure Type: Heat-cured

Benefits

Superior release performance
Ideal for medium/high-temperature molding conditions
Easily diluted options for additional cost savings
Dilutions provide more control over release properties
Cheaper than most solvent-based alternatives
Less hazardous than solvent-based alternatives
Reduced shipping costs (no HAZMAT)
Operator-safe, no foul odors
Reduced VOC-emissions and improved plant safety

Applications

Supported Materials

McLube® offers highly dilutable, water-based release agents and sprays for a variety of materials, including all natural and synthetic rubbers, plastics, epoxies/ resins, polyurethanes (rigid and flexible), composites, asphalt, wood-fiber composites, and concrete forms and veneers. McLube® Technical Representatives can help you choose the ideal water-based coating for your operation. Contact McLube® for expert process assistance and samples today or browse our release agents by material or specialty application for industry-specific information.

Performance

Unparalleled Release Performance

The first water-based release coatings were known to cause knit lines, buildup on mold surfaces, rust on metallic molds, and poorer quality surface finish on parts. The shortcomings of early water-based release agents caused an industry stigma towards water-based release coatings that still exists today, particularly among well-established rubber molders and hose manufacturers.

Improper or insufficient surfactants and emulsifiers were to blame for the initial failure of water-based releasants. McLube® Formulation Chemists were among the first in the industry to perfect the use of emulsifiers to correct the deficiencies of early water-based coatings and make these new, environmentally conscious options viable for the production line. Today, McLube® Water-based Mold Release Agents contain proprietary blends of emulsifiers, surfactants, and rust inhibitors that ensure excellent release characteristics, superior surface finish, and even extended lifespan of molds and other metallic and nonmetallic tooling.

Technology

Water-based vs. Solvent-based

Often the first question that needs to be answered when choosing a release agent is whether your process requires a solvent-based or water-based formula. Aside from process requirements like drying time, other factors such as plant safety goals, operator preferences, environmental impact, and industry stigmas may affect your choice of mold release medium. Water-based coatings are generally cheaper than their solvent-based equivalents and present fewer safety concerns, but they may not be ideally suited to your process requirements. Click here for more information about selecting the ideal release agent for your process or contact McLube® for expert technical assistance.

Non-Hazardous and Operator-friendly

Restricted use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and increased awareness of operator safety spurred the development of water-based mold release agents in the 1990’s. McLube’s water-based mold release agents dramatically reduce plant safety concerns associated with flammable solvents and harmful emissions.

Consult a local McLube® Technical Representative to find the ideal formula available for your needs. Featured products displayed on this page from time to time are for promotional purposes only and do not represent the full product line McLube® offers for this particular material or application. Product availability, including container sizes, concentrations, and aerosols, will vary by country or region. McLube® is a registered wordmark of McGee Industries, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Products that do not bear the McLube® brand name are not manufactured to specifications designated by McGee Industries, Incorporated despite any similarities in numerical names/ designations.