CHRYSO Southern Africa has launched a new range of ‘application-driven’ release agents for the concrete industry. Comprising of products that are specifically formulated for a variety of form/mould types (like timber, rubber, latex, fibreglass, polyurethane, resin ply, plastic, plywood, steel and aluminium), the CHRYSO®Dem Range will assist in the easy, clean release of concrete from formwork or moulds.
Hannes Engelbrecht, the General Manager: Marketing, says that the CHRYSO®Dem Range has been designed to meet the need of specific industries and applications.
“Choosing the appropriate release agent may be critical to the success of a project, as it affects both the quality and colour of the surface finish. The cost of a release agent is low in proportion to the formwork or mould itself, so simply choosing the cheapest release agent available on the market, is false economy. The top quality release agents in the CHRYSO®Dem Range provides greater coverage, is easy to use, and adds consistent quality to the production line. This is important particularly in the precast industry, where high temperature steam curing forms a formidable challenge in the production process.
“The new range is a revolutionary development for South Africa, long-awaited by industries which for years have had to use ‘one-size-fits-all’ release agents. The CHRYSO®Dem Range, which is locally manufactured by CHRYSO Southern Africa at its production plants in Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape, also includes a vegetable-based, environmentally-friendly release agent,” he states.
Release agents are primarily used to assist in the clean, easy release of moulds or formwork from concrete, without damaging the concrete or moulds or formwork.
Some other advantages of the CHRYSO®Dem Range include:
• Protecting and extending the life of the formwork/mould;
• Reducing the likelihood of imperfections and surface damage (particularly blow holes) to the concrete, to create more durable and attractive concrete surfaces;
• Eliminating staining and colour changes;
• Plaster, paint and other coatings may be applied subsequent to the mould removal as the release agents do not adversely affect adhesion of finishes and coatings applied to the concrete;
• Water repellent and not affected by rain;
• No effect on the hydration of concrete;
• Ready-to-use release agents which reduce the possibility of errors during mixing;
• Two-year storage life for virtually all the new release agents.
“The CHRYSO®Dem Range includes CHRYSO®Dem Bio 10, a vegetable-based, bio-degradable and non toxic release agent which will not pollute the environment and has a low odour and therefore safe to use in confined spaces such as mining, tunnelling, and any poorly ventilated area. Most of the other products in the CHRYSO®Dem Range are also safe to use, have a low odour, and comply with regulations for the transport and disposal of hazardous materials,” Engelbrecht added.
The CHRYSO®Dem Range includes CHRYSO®Dem Elio LSM which significantly reduces blow holes because its low viscosity (thin) oil creates less surface tension against the sides of the mould and therefore allows air bubbles to escape. CHRYSO®Dem Elio SP can handle the high temperatures of steam curing and provides rust prevention. CHRYSO®Dem Oleo FW is a mineral-based release agent suitable for all types of formwork and ideal for formwork suppliers. Other products cater for the heavy precast sector ( eg pipe manufacturing); light wet and dry precast demoulding operations; and decorative concretes. A wax based version, CHRYSO®Dem WB, is ideal for wooden moulds and prevents the veneer on shutter boards from delaminating.
“There has been exceptionally positive response from the concrete industry to this new range which Chryso S.A. is planning to export to the rest of Africa as well,” Engelbrecht adds.
For further information, contact Kirsten Kelly on tel 011 395 9700 or email kirsten@chrysosa.co.za or visit http://chryso-sa.co.za/
