New developments in low pressure SMC
- Union Carbide Corp., South Charleston, WV (United States)
- Union Carbide Europe S.A., Meyrin (Switzerland)
The composites industry has expressed a keen desire for a molding material with the properties of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) and the ability to mold at low pressures. Opportunities exist in Class A, zero shrink, low shrink pigmentable, and structural applications. Clearly, the ability to achieve SMC properties and production rates in shorter run applications in relatively inexpensive tooling is intuitively attractive. The historical problem with SMC under low pressure situations has been the difficulty in consistently controlling the chemical thickening process at low levels and achieving a dry, tack free, easily handled compound with no resin separation. In recent years developments have been made for low pressure SMC which does not contain an earth oxide thickening agent but relies on a crystalline polyester physical thickening. However, this approach requires modification of standard SMC and in-plant environmental protection equipment. The resulting compound is also tacky and difficult to handle. Developmental efforts have produced an approach to low pressure SMC that will produce molding compounds on standard SMC equipment with a wide process latitude for thickener control. The resultant compound is dry and easily handled and has a stable viscosity for several weeks. Formulations for Class A surface, inner reinforcement and pigmentable materials will be presented. Also approaches to low temperature cure with these materials will be outlined.
- OSTI ID:
- 392385
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9602107--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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