Mould Oils

Actech International is the proud Australian distributor of chemicals from the Cresset Chemical Company of the United States of America , and Hebau of Germany, manufactured locally from concentrates.

Our releases agents have taken the market by storm. Using the CCS Rating System, you can achieve mirror finish surfaces with minimum effort and cost. Whether you are a precast or tilt-up operator, we have the right product for you.

The surface finish of concrete structures and products is a major quality measure. Voids (“bug holes”) at the surface are unsightly and reduce the “value”.

They lower the value of the finished product and can be expensive to remedy. If coatings are to be applied the holes will require filling to avoid blistering of the coating. Crete Lease products are a new type of mould release agent that contains hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfactants (surface active agents). By combining the ease of release of an oil with the finish performance of a water based release agent (Crete Lease 20-VOC) it is the ideal material for all formwork types where a high quality finish is required.

Mechanism of Air/Water Void Reduction

The air/water bubble is formed at the interface of the concrete and release agent. Hence, “bug holes” can be reduced by either:- using an oil with a hydrophilic surface (CL880 and CL20) or improvement of the mix designer water or air causes the bugholes. In addition excess release agents also produce bugholes…the very small ones. The ones the size of a pencil eraser and smaller. Bugholes larger than that are a mixture design or mixing or vibrating problem. Good vibration along with properly applied Crete-Lease contribute to much or all of the bughole reduction.

Release Agent

Conventional oil is commonly and efficiently used as a mould release agent. Unfortunately, oil is hydrophobic while the fresh concrete is hydrophilic. Cresset uses some hydrophilic double action surfactant in the oil containing release agents. This is why the oil based Crete-Leases also effectively diminish bugholes.

The surfactants in 20-VOC and Crete Lease 880 make a hydrophilic layer on the surface of the release agents oil layer.

Superplasticiser

The extent to which a bubble forms is dependent on the difference in the surface tension of the concrete and the release agent. The surface tension of concrete with conventional superplasticiser is 70Dyne/cm2. Using superplasticiser this is reduced to 30Dyne/cm2, about the same as the surface tension of an oil mould release agent. This virtual elimination of the barrier is why Cresset products work so well.

All Crete Lease® Release Agents:

• Are non-toxic, non-flammable and biodegradable.
• Increase surface durability.
• Apply easily even at temperature extremes.
• Promote clean stripping and stain-free surfaces.
• Eliminate concrete build-up.
• Cut labour costs of form clean up.

Crete Lease 880 For Precast and Insitu - The No 1 release agent in Australia

Product Description:

• Releases any kind of form or formliner (except expanded polystyrene) from hardened concrete.
• Forms and formliners strip easily and cleanly ,also helps eliminate bugholes and stains.
• It is easy to use and gives reliable results with no dust left on the mould.
• Is the lowest viscosity release agent available / Eliminates bugholes - even with superplasticized concrete.
• Promotes easy stripping, especially when applied in an ultra thin film Can be used at 50 to 60 M2 / Litre.
• Promotes easy clean up of forms.
• Is non-staining.
• Will not transfer to the concrete surface - adhesion of caulks, paints or coatings is not affected.
• Does not effloresce / Does not “kill” concrete surfaces.
• Does not wash off in moderate rain / It is biodegradable, non poisonous and contains no carcinogens.

Fields of Application:

• Precast Beams.
• Precast Panels with class 1 finish and /or fine detail requirements including formliners.
• Insitu Formwork.
• Pavers and products made in fibreglass moulds.

Application Instructions:

Crete Lease 880 requires special tips and sprayers. It can be applied using a ACTECH AIR POWERED Sprayer and 110 067 or a Chapin 1949 and 80015. It is recommended that a filter be used in the line. The less you use the better the finish. Works in either 5 minutes or weeks after being put onto the mould.

Crete Lease 20-VOC For Precast and Insitu; Best for Textured Rubber Moulds

Product Description:

• Permits easy, stain-free removal of forms or formliners from hardened concrete.
• Releases any kind of form or formliner (including expanded polystyrene) from hardened concrete. Forms strip easily and cleanly ,also helps eliminate bugholes and stains.
• It is easy to use and gives reliable results with no dust left on the mould.
• Eliminates bugholes even when applied 5 times thicker than needed.
• No staining.
• Does not cause efflorescence /Does not wash off in moderate rain.
• Doesn’t interfere with adhesion of caulk, architectural coatings, paint, sealers and curing compounds on cured concrete surfaces when properly applied.
• It is biodegradable, non poisonous and contains no carcinogens

Field of Application:

• Precast Panels with class 1 finish and /or fine detail requirements including rubber formliners.
• Pavers and products made in steel or fibreglass moulds.

Application Instructions:

Crete Lease 20-VOC requires special tips and sprayers. It is best applied using a ACTECH “FATBOY” AIR POWERED Sprayer and 110 067.tip or by using a mop. It is recommended that a filter be used in the line. The less you use the better the finish.

Works in either 5 minutes or weeks after being put onto the mould.

SuperStrip Aquablend For Insitu; Concentrate

Product Description:

• Super-Strip “AquaBlend” is a water dilutable 1:4 Form Releaser.
• It permits easy, stain-free removal of timber, steel forms, formliners, etc. from concrete.
• Can reduce bugholes on concrete surfaces / Does not cause efflorescence.
• Doesn’t interfere with adhesion of caulk, architectural coatings, paint, sealers and curing compounds on cured concrete surfaces when properly applied.
• Reduces incidences of skin rashes to an absolute minimum. / Is biodegradable.
  

Field of Application:

• Precast Beams.
• Precast Panels with class 1 finish and /or fine detail requirements including formliners.
• Insitu Formwork

Application Instructions:

Form surfaces should be clean, dry and free from contaminants. Apply Super-Strip “AquaBlend”, properly diluted, just minutes before concrete is placed or up to 7 days before if treated surface is protected from precipitation.Use Chapin 1949 with 80015 tip.

WABICON SQ For Precast and Insitu

Product Description:

• Helps produce CCS 1 or CCS 2
• Steel, wood and plastic forms & formliners strip easily and cleanly from hardened concrete.
• Is a water-based, solvent-free mould release agent which produces a smooth, nonporous, spotless concrete surface.
• Will not transfer to the concrete surface - adhesion of paints or coatings is not affected.
• Inhibits rusting of forms.

Fields of Application:

• Precast Beams.
• Precast Panels with Class 1 finish and /or fine detail requirements including formliners
• Pavers and products made in fibreglass moulds.

SuperStrip 60 For Insitu; Concentrate

Product Description:

• It permits removal of forms, formliners, pallets, etc. from hardened concrete.
• A proprietary blend of vegetable oils in petroleum based oils. Contains no silicones and no carcinogens.
• Helps minimize clean-up of forms and equipment.
• Promotes easy form stripping.
• Is non-staining when used properly.
• Helps reduce formation of bugholes on concrete surface.
• Does not “kill” concrete surfaces when properly applied.
• Is good on aluminum forms.
• Applies in sub-freezing or very hot temperatures.
• Does not cause efflorescence.

Field of Application:

• Precast Beams.
• Hollow Core extruded products.
• Insitu Formwork.

Application Instructions:

SS 60 requires no special tips and sprayers. The less you use the better the finish.

Spraying problems caused by temperatures below 45° F can be solved by increasing spray pressure by about 10 psi. At lower temperatures it may be wise to use a slightly larger spray tip...say 8005. Sprays easily using a Chapin 1949 and 80015. Apply just minutes before concrete is placed or up to 7 days if treated surface is protected.