ABSTRACT
The mould material plays an important part in the selection of the accelerated curing method to be used. Steel is several hundred times more thermally conductive than timber and is used in much thinner sections than timber. In accelerated curing applications expanded polystyrene is the most common material used as it is cost effective, easily cut and easily glued, as well as being recyclable. The use of insulants in moisture curing application is possibly not so much appreciated but is of benefit especially for low humidity environment production. In addition to normal curing temperature property requirements demanded of release agents these same properties need to be retained at elevated temperatures as well as at the extremes of humidity. Cast-in disposable thermocouples are the most viable method of monitoring temperatures and temperature gradients and thermocouples can be located at selected positions which would include zones at most risk from excesses.
