Abstract: Mold release agents and means for their application are provided. The release agents are used in coating molds for forming expandible plastics. They are especially applicable to polyurethane-based reaction injection molding (RIM) systems. The release agents, which have a controlled saponified fatty acid content (unsaturated as oleate and/or linoleate and saturated as C.sub.8 to C.sub.12 alkanoate) make for significant advantage with respect to ease of release, prevention of residual build-up, mold and part cleanability, health and safety, cost, etc.

Abstract: Water based mold release agents and means for their application are provided. The release agents are used in coating molds for forming high resilience (HR) open-cell foamed plastics especially those known as HR seating foams. The release agents which contain lithium soap and polyol ester, give excellent performance with respect to ease of release, prevention of residual build-up, and mold and part cleanability. A key feature is that the release agents uniquely provide an open-cell foam surface in the resulting molded articles so that the same have high resilience.