What is the difference between a chemically reactive form release agent and a barrier type release agent?
What product and procedure do you recommend for removing vinyl tile adhesive residue from a concrete floor surface? A: Barrier type form release agents, also known as form oils, use heavy oils diluted in lighter oil such as kerosene oil or diesel fuel. When applied to a form surface, the lighter oil is designed to evaporate, or flash off, leaving a film of the heavier oil on the form surface. The heavy oil acts as a barrier, much the same as grease on a cookie sheet, to prevent concrete from sticking to form surfaces. Obvious problems with barrier type form release agents include the oil migrating vertically during the vibrating process, which results in form sticking, as well as unsightly oil stains on the cast concrete surface. A chemically active form release agent contains an active ingredient that combines with the calcium hydroxide (lime) in fresh concrete to form a metallic, waterproof soap which prevents concrete adhesion to treated surfaces. Resulting concrete is uniformly bri
