EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) is a commonly used material for the production of shoe
soles due to its lightweight, cushioning properties. When manufacturing EVA soles,
release agents are often used to facilitate the removal of the soles from the molds.
These release agents prevent the EVA from sticking to the mold surface during the curing
or foaming process, allowing for easy demolding.
Release agents used for EVA soles typically fall into two categories: external and internal.
External Release Agents: These are applied directly to the mold surface before pouring
or injecting the EVA material. External release agents form a thin film between the
mold and the EVA, preventing adhesion. They can be in the form of a liquid, spray,
or semi-solid substance. Some common external release agents used for EVA soles include
silicone-based sprays, wax-based sprays, or specialized mold release coatings.
Internal Release Agents: These are added directly to the EVA material
before it is poured or injected into the mold. Internal release agents are
typically in the form of a powder or a pellet. They are blended with the
EVA resin to provide internal lubrication, reducing the friction between
the EVA and the mold. This lubrication helps in the demolding process.
Internal release agents are often based on materials like fatty acid
amides or metallic stearates.