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    Form Oils or Release Agents: Do They Affect Concrete Finish?

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    Oscar Guerrero
    The document discusses how the selection and application of form oils or release agents can affect the finish of concrete surfaces. Incorrect selection or application of a release agent can lead to small air bubbles or discoloration on the concrete surface. Barrier type release agents create a barrier between the form and concrete, while reactive agents chemically combine with the concrete. Proper application of a reactive agent in a thin, even coat is important for achieving a quality surface finish.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Form Oils or Release Agents: Do They Affect Concrete Finish?

    Uploaded by

    Oscar Guerrero
    255 views1 page
    The document discusses how the selection and application of form oils or release agents can affect the finish of concrete surfaces. Incorrect selection or application of a release agent can lead to small air bubbles or discoloration on the concrete surface. Barrier type release agents create a barrier between the form and concrete, while reactive agents chemically combine with the concrete. Proper application of a reactive agent in a thin, even coat is important for achieving a quality surface finish.

    Original Title

    EDge Bulletin 36

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    The document discusses how the selection and application of form oils or release agents can affect the finish of concrete surfaces. Incorrect selection or application of a release agent can lead to small air bubbles or discoloration on the concrete surface. Barrier type release agents create a barrier between the form and concrete, while reactive agents chemically combine with the concrete. Proper application of a reactive agent in a thin, even coat is important for achieving a quality surface finish.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    255 views1 page

    Form Oils or Release Agents: Do They Affect Concrete Finish?

    Uploaded by

    Oscar Guerrero
    The document discusses how the selection and application of form oils or release agents can affect the finish of concrete surfaces. Incorrect selection or application of a release agent can lead to small air bubbles or discoloration on the concrete surface. Barrier type release agents create a barrier between the form and concrete, while reactive agents chemically combine with the concrete. Proper application of a reactive agent in a thin, even coat is important for achieving a quality surface finish.

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    Winter 2003

    Form Oils or Release Agents: Do they Affect Concrete Finish?

    ack of attention to the selection and application of appropriate concrete


    release agents can lead to unsightly blemishes or surface imperfections
    on formed concrete surfaces.

    When a series of air bubbles are visible on the concrete formed surfaces
    that are less than 1/4” in diameter or within a cluster of pinholed type clus-
    ters as seen in the photo to the left, the most likely cause is an incorrect
    selection or application of release agent. The bubbles are caused by a reac-
    tion between the release agent and the fresh concrete, when too much ma-
    terial is present, the bubbles and sometimes a discoloration can become
    evident.

    Release agents typically are categorized by how they work. The two basic
    categories are barrier agents and reactive agents.
    Bugholes or Airbubbles less than 1/4” in diameter and in a pat-
    tern as seen here point to incompatibilities between fresh con- Barrier type release agents create a barrier between the surface of the form
    crete and form release agents.
    and the fresh concrete. They are typically made up of diesel oil, home
    heating oil, paraffin wax and motor oil. They are applied in thick films
    typically covering 200—600 square feet per gallon (5—15 m2/l). These
    are used when surface appearance is not a consideration.

    Reactive type release agents chemically combine with calcium in the fresh
    concrete. They are typically made up of fatty acids from animal or plant
    sources. The reaction product is a thin layer of grease or soap that permits
    the form to readily release from the hardened concrete. They are applied
    in very thin films with coverage rates typically from 1500—3000 square
    feet per gallon (37.5—75 m2/l). These are used when surface appearance is
    important.

    Typically, for the reactive type release agents, a sprayer used for applying
    curing compound is not appropriate in that it will apply up to 10 times too
    much material than is required. A flat tip spray tip produces droplet that
    are 75% smaller than ordinary cone spray tips and make it easier to apply
    the thin film reactive agents that are required for architectural grade sur-
    faces.

    After spraying the film onto the formwork, a damp not wet (with release
    agent) soft flannel cloth should be used to wipe off excess release agent. If
    a wake of excess material can be produced after drawing a finger along the
    treated form surface, then you have too much material applied.

    There will also be different types of release agents needed depending upon
    what type o f formwork surface that is being used (steel for example may
    also require a form release agent that has rust inhibiting compounds within
    its chemistry). Aluminum and wood will require different products.

    Streaking of formoil (runs) and a film wake of excess release A release agent will perform differently in winter than in summer and you
    agent that is visible when drawing a finger along the surface may need to purchase a different product that is more effective in cold
    indicate application shortfalls. weather. Also note that water based release agents must be stored in tem-
    peratures between 35 deg—100 Deg F(2—38 deg C)

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