The need for certain release properties can be found in numerous everyday applications, as well as in industrial applications.1 Depending on the nature of these applications, different levels of the release effect are desired, and demands regarding durability of the release effect vary substantially. Therefore, it makes sense to take a closer look at the specialty additives that create this effect.
In the first section of this article, the chemical background of this additive class is explained. The second section explains the mode of action in typical release additive applications and the basic effects of different types of silicone-based release additives. Finally, the basic formulation principles are explained.