Compression Molding

How release agents add value when using compression molding.

Compression molding consists of a polymer being placed into a hot mold, which is then closed via hydraulics and a predefined pressure. Once a specified cure time is allowed to pass, the mold is opened and the newly formed composite or rubber part is removed.

Adding the right release agent is proven to make a remarkable difference by optimizing your compression molding process for more reliability to:

• Reduce defects and waste
• Minimize downtime 
• Create molding consistency 
• Achieve better part quality 
• Produce better end products

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Ready-to-use release products create consistency in compression molding and can be more environmentally friendly.

Consistency is key in composites and rubber manufacturing. Having a reliable process that you can count on to create high-quality products that meet your customers’ specifications and timelines is essential to the success of your business. Today’s ready-to-use, water-based release agents, like those in Chem-Trend’s product lines, can help your team achieve their goals every day. Not only are these release agents high performing – they are also proven effective for keeping rubber and composites manufacturing molds in top working condition. With their high-temperature stability, high abrasion resistance, and quick curing, ready-to-use release agents help minimize waste, maintain schedules, and even create healthier work environments.

Compression molding is a simple and versatile process.

Manufacturers who use compression molding enjoy its versatility and ease. A straightforward process without a complex runner system, compression molding supports a wide array of parts manufacturing. Because the mold is manually loaded, the tooling is relatively simple. And while this process requires attention and skill, it is also easy to learn and master.

“In composites, compression molding is a very versatile process allowing for complex part designs, fast cycle times, excellent part tolerances, and mostly elimination of post-part machining,” says Chem-Trend composites business development director Dave Fenwick. The result? High-quality, economical composite parts.

Compression molding is cost controlled with low initial investment.

When it comes to compression molding, less complex tooling and machinery means less downtime. With no need for intricate repairs that disrupt production, this process tends to require fewer part replacements. The absence of gates, sprues, and runners — all of which can use up more material and increase tooling cost — makes smaller production runs more feasible.

Chem-Trend products can make composites and rubber molding processes even easier. To meet composites needs, just one Chemlease® product can replace many with excellent results, saving costs spent on multiple products. For rubber manufacturing, Chem-Trend’s Mono-Coat® products ease the release of elastomeric materials, with semi-permanent coatings and excellent results providing overall value. Both Chemlease® and Mono-Coat® are made to keep equipment in peak condition, minimizing the need for replacement parts and helping mitigate material waste.

It’s perfect for high-volume processes.

Compression molding is ideal for high-volume composite part manufacturing. Allowing for fast cycle times, the process achieves excellent part dimensional tolerance and can obtain reproducible part weight. Suitable for bulk molding compound (BMC), sheet molding compound (SMC), and liquid molding compound (LMC), compression molding is commonly used in automotive and transportation manufacturing for both structural and panel components.

High-volume production means mistakes can be extremely wasteful and costly. With Chem-Trend’s Chemlease®, you get greater consistency for more reliable results. To add to that sustainability, Chem-Trend has introduced water-based technology for composites to enhance health, safety, environment (HSE) management while providing solutions for a wide variety of resin types, mold geometries, and process challenges.

You can improve your process and reduce defects by choosing the right Chem-Trend release agent.

Choosing the right release agent can help significantly reduce defects, improve your overall results, and save money in the long run. The best part is that making a change to the proper Chem-Trend release agent is relatively simple and doesn’t require huge changes to your machinery or processes. In addition to increasing the ease of release from the mold, our specialized products improve throughput by decreasing the mold release application frequency and preventing buildup in your mold. The ultimate benefit is less downtime for cleaning and more productivity gains.