Simulation of SMC compression molding: Filling, curing, and volume changes
Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a composite material made from polyester resin, styrene, fiberglass reinforcement, and other additives. It is widely recognized that SMC is a good candidate for replacing sheet metals of automotive body exteriors because SMC is relatively inexpensive, has a high strength-to-density ratio, and has good corrosion resistance. The focus of this research was to develop computer models to simulate the important features of SMC compression molding (i.e., material flow, heat transfer, curing, material expansion, and shrinkage), and to characterize these features experimentally. A control volume/finite element approach was used to obtain the pressure and velocity fields and to compute the flow progression during compression mold filling. The energy equation and a kinetic model were solved simultaneously for the temperature and conversion profiles. A series of molding experiments was conducted to record the flow-front location and material temperature. Predictions obtained from the model were compared to experimental results which incorporated a non-isothermal temperature profile, and reasonable agreement was obtained.
- Research Organization:
- Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7080774
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development effort of sheet molding compound (SMC) parabolic trough panels
LPA performance in low temperature SMC/BMC molding
Related Subjects
360601* -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990301 -- Information Handling-- Data Handling-- (1992-)
ADDITIVES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
ESTERS
FABRICATION
FIBERGLASS
HYDROCARBONS
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
MATERIALS
MOLDING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
POLYESTERS
POLYMERS
SIMULATION
STYRENE