A Green Release Agent for Concrete Forms

Some 500 million tons (450 million tonnes) of concrete are used each year in the United States. Most of that is poured into forms or molds, which are removed to expose the hardened concrete. To help get the forms off, they are usually coated with a petroleum-based form-release agent. Light-bodied, low-viscosity

plain oils are typically used for this; these products are made by most oil companies. Another all-too-common alternative with form-release agents is used engine oil or a mixture of diesel oil and used engine oil as the form-release agent. While saving money, this option is strongly discouraged, because the sulfuric acid in the used oil may harm both the forms and the concrete, and because the used oil may contain heavy metals and (with waste industrial oils) such toxins as PCBs.