Is dimethyl silicone oil emulsion suitable for polyurethane (PU) foamed floor mats?
Conclusion: Yes, dimethyl silicone oil emulsion is highly suitable for mold release of PU foamed floor mats and is a mainstream choice in the market.
PU foam materials have strong adhesion to mold surfaces due to the large number of polar groups in their molecular structure. Dimethyl silicone oil emulsion can form a uniform lubricating film with low surface energy on the mold surface, effectively overcoming the high adhesion of PU foam materials and achieving smooth mold release.
The production temperature of PU foamed floor mats is usually 170-230℃, and dimethyl silicone oil emulsion has a heat resistance of 180-250℃, which fully meets the process requirements. It also has good thermal stability and will not decompose under high temperature to affect product quality.
High-quality dimethyl silicone oil emulsion (especially the composite system containing silicone resin) can achieve 3-10 consecutive mold releases with one coating, reducing downtime and improving production efficiency.
It is recommended to use dimethyl silicone oil emulsion with a viscosity of 350-1000 cSt (mm²/s), which is the golden viscosity range for mold release of PU foamed floor mats:
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Below 350 cSt: Insufficient film-forming strength and poor durability
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Above 1000 cSt: Increased emulsification difficulty, higher cost, and potential impact on mold release effect
Optimal formula combination: Dimethyl silicone oil (1000 cSt) + 5-10% silicone resin composite system, which can form a more durable mold release film and prevent silicone oil migration from affecting product performance.
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Mold pretreatment: Thoroughly clean the mold to remove oil stains and residual mold release agent, ensuring a clean surface
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Dilution and preparation: Dilute strictly according to the product manual (usually 1:10~1:20), and use deionized water for dilution
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Coating methods:
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Spraying: 0.8-1.0mm spray gun, 5-6kg pressure, uniform atomization
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Brushing: Suitable for complex mold structures, ensuring no omissions
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Drying conditions: 3-5 minutes at room temperature or 1-2 minutes baking at 60-80℃ to ensure complete drying and film formation
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Disadvantages: Pollutes the environment, difficult to clean residues, affects subsequent processing (such as printing, lamination), and does not meet modern environmental requirements
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Advantages: Good single mold release effect, but overall performance is far inferior to aqueous silicone oil emulsion
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Application scenarios: Only suitable for special PU products with extremely high surface gloss requirements
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Limitations: Poor heat resistance (≤150℃), weak mold release durability, not suitable for high-temperature PU foaming processes
Dimethyl silicone oil emulsion is an ideal choice for mold release of PU foamed floor mats, especially aqueous silicone oil emulsion with a viscosity of 350-1000 cSt or composite systems containing silicone resin.
Recommended procurement and usage strategies:
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Prioritize specialized PU foaming mold release agents from well-known brands such as EA-43 and AT-303
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Conduct small-batch tests before first use to determine the optimal dilution ratio and coating amount
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Strictly follow the principle of "thin and uniform coating, complete drying" to achieve the best mold release effect and longest service life
Note: If the product has special surface treatment requirements (such as high gloss, adhesion requirements), it is recommended to consult the supplier to select a modified silicone oil emulsion with a specialized formula.