Various processes, such as, for example, the air-set or no-bake process, the carbon dioxide process, the cold box process, hot box processes, and similar mold manufacturing processes are well known. In these processes, sand and binder mixture is molded upon patterns or in core boxes. The patterns may be constructed from plastic, wood, or metal. Typical metals are aluminum and cast iron. Other materials may also be used. In the no-bake process, the sand/binder mixture, or foundry mix, contains a catalyst, so the mixture will cure rapidly without additional reagents. Heat may be added if desired in some processes to increase the cure rate. The foundry mix is shaped by compacting it in a pattern and allowing it to cure, so that the mix is self-supporting. The composition of the foundry mix, including any catalyst, must be such as to allow adequate work time to allow shaping before the mixture hardens.

Mold Release Agent agents are typically sprayed or brushed onto a pattern or core box surface periodically during pattern or core preparation. The Mold Release Agent agent can be an emulsion or dispersion. If dispersed in a solvent, the solvent serves to wet the surface of a shape-determining mold, onto which the release agent is applied. It is highly desirable to reuse the same pattern or core box many times, to generate a number of molds from the same pattern or core box. Therefore, it is important for the pattern or core to be quickly and cleanly released from the finished molds with a minimum amount of release agent residue or build up on the pattern, and with minimal need to clean the pattern surface.