High-quality concrete release agents are indispensable where the quality of a concrete surface is concerned. Based on our decades of experience, we have developed our high-performance SOK products in close cooperation with our customers. Today, these concrete release agents are utilised successfully around the world in precast plants as well as in structural and civil engineering.

Concrete release agents consist of a base fluid in which the required additives are dissolved. This base fluid can be mineral oil with and without de-aromatised white spirit, ester/vegetable oil or, in the case of emulsions, water. Fatty acids and/or esters are usually used as separating substances. The fatty acids react chemically with the cations of the “concrete water” to produce metal soaps, which form the “predetermined breaking point” between concrete and formwork following the hardening of the concrete. The often utilised esters are saponified to form fatty acids and alcohol by the highly alkaline concrete (pH value 12.9). The fatty acids react, as described, with the cations in the “concrete water”. The alcohol is built into the cement matrix. Furthermore the concrete release agents contain additives for the minimisation of pores and shrink holes as well as a temporary corrosion protection for steel formwork.

Concrete release agents based on mineral oils with and without solvents are still widely used in precast plants and in structural and civil engineering. These products are universally applicable. Precast plants often utilise solvent-based products for standard formwork to fulfil the high demands on the quality of concrete surfaces (up to exposed concrete class “SB4”) and cleanliness of the formwork. The products containing mineral oil are often also used as immediate demolding release agents. According to the dangerous and hazardous substances regulations, solvent-based products must be labelled.

For reasons of health and safety at work and environmental hygiene, water-based products are increasingly used in stationary production plants. Emulsions which are utilised as concrete release agents are the latest product generation. The emulsions can be used in precast plants on all standard formwork such as steel formwork, plastic-coated wooden formwork etc. Compared with solvent-based concrete release agents, emulsions have distinct advantages thanks to their handling and application. Emulsions from the SOK AQUA range are non-flammable and virtually odourless during spraying. The effects of the SOK AQUA products in terms of concrete technology correspond in most cases to the concrete release agents containing solvents. The user therefore obtains flawless exposed concrete surfaces that are free of pores, shrink holes and stains. The concrete surfaces are bright and smooth. Furthermore, the formwork can be easily cleaned without too much effort.

FUCHS LUBRITECH has successfully managed to integrate a demonstrably increased corrosion protection in some products, for example, SOK AQUA KS for utilisation on corrodible steel formwork.

Biogenic release agents based on ester or vegetable oil are not only suitable for applications in drinking water protection areas but can also be used in many other areas. Due to their partially high viscosity, these products can only be used to a limited extent in winter operation.

Products based on ester oil, which also include vegetable oils, are becoming more and more important for environmental reasons and are increasingly used for the production of precast concrete elements. These products are mainly found in pipe production and mixer protection, but also in the production of concrete sleepers or L-stones and the immediate demolding. FUCHS LUBRITECH has developed SOK ECO 911, SOK ECO 107 and SOK HU ECO for requirements of this kind.

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The production and processing of asphalt can get very dirty. The bitumen obtained from petroleum, which serves as a binding agent between various aggregates in the asphalt, is not water-soluble and can cause considerable contamination on surfaces that come into contact with the sticky mass.

Because machines and devices contaminated with bitumen are very difficult to clean, they should be pre-treated before they are used. This is where asphalt release agents come into play, which protect the surfaces from contamination in order to ensure the longevity of the equipment that is used in asphalt production and road construction.

Even today, diesel is occasionally used as a release agent in practice. However, this affects the structural integrity of the applied asphalt in the pavement. In addition, diesel poses a serious threat to the environment. Modern asphalt release agents are not only environmentally friendly - they are also harmless to users and when using various types of asphalt, such as B. mastic asphalt or stone mastic.