Release agents provide the critical barrier between a molding surface and the substrate, facilitating separation of the cured part from the mold. Without such a barrier in place, the substrate would become fused to the mold surface, resulting in difficult clean-up and dramatic loss in production efficiency. Even when a release agent is used, factors such as irregular applications or improper release agent choice may have a dramatic effect on the quality and consistency of the finished product

Foam is a mass of bubbles created when gas is dispersed into a liquid and the dispersion is stabilized. High-strength films of liquid surround the bubbles, forming large volumes of foam. While the cause of foam is a complicated study in physical chemistry, its existence presents serious problems in the operation of industrial processes, as well as the filling, transportation and quality of finished products. Typically foam occurs in blending, mixing, reflux, distillation and filtration steps. If not properly controlled, foam can reduce equipment capacity and increase processing
time and operating expenses.

In goods as diverse as textiles, building materials and home care products, excellent water repellence may be achieved due to the convergence of three key features of hydrophobic silicone formulations. First is the inherent presence of a hydrophobic functional group on the silicone molecule. Second is excellent wetting, which allows the silicone to penetrate the substrate and deliver the hydrophobic functional group deeply in or through the material. Third is the stability of silicones and their resistance to chemical, heat, ultraviolet or oxidative forces. Combine these features with the fact that silicones are highly gas permeable, and the result is a durable, yet breathable water-repellent end product. Momentive has taken advantage of this chemistry to offer our water-repellent silicones.