English Abstract

Technology of Rubber Molding (Part4)
Mold Pollution and its Prevention/Reduction

Koichi YAMAGUCHI
Honorary Head, KANSAI Rubber Technical Training Course, Higashiosaka City, Osaka, Japan
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2021),94(12),395-406 General Review in Japanese

It has long been known that mold pollution occurs in all rubber materials and their unvulcanized rubber compounds during mold vulcanization molding. As the mold vulcanization process is repeated, the pollutants adhere to the mold surface, accumulate, solidify, and increase the amount of pollution, which in turn causes mold pollution, delinquent of mold release, molded product shape defects, and difficulty in cleaning and automating the mold for reuse. The factors that cause these problems include rubber materials, rubber compounding agents, and the manufacturing of rubber products. Since the rubber materials, vulcanization systems, and rubber compounding agents used in rubber products are all different, the behavior and pollutants during mold vulcanization molding are different, making it difficult to develop various methods to prevent or reduce mold pollution. As a method that does not affect the properties and functions of the molded product, the selection of metal materials for the mold, surface treatment of the mold, and the blending of mold pollution inhibitors are being considered.

Keywords: Rubber Molding Mold, Mold Pollution, Pollutants, Mold Surface Treatment, Mold Pollution Inhibitors, Rubber Materials, Vulcanization Systems, Rubber Compounding Agents, Manufacturing of Rubber, Prevention/Reduction