Characterization of the surface of formworks – Influence of the surface energy and surface texture parameters on the demolding forces

Abstract Adhesion between concrete and formwork is ruled by the chemical and physical phenomena emerging by contact of these two surfaces. The objective of this work is to understand how the adhesion between concrete and formwork is influenced by the morphological and thermodynamic surface properties of the formwork. Different formwork surfaces are considered: metallic with and without demolding agent, polished and coated surfaces. Surface texture parameters and surface energy of these surfaces are determined by interferometry and measurement of contact angle, respectively. A demolding procedure is developed and allows the evaluation of the demolding performances in relation to the formwork surface properties.