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Title: The influence of fiber volume fraction and fiber length on the evolution of pore content and the paintability of sheet molding compounds

Journal Article · · Composites Part B: Engineering
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Volkswagen AG, Group Innovation, Wolfsburg (Germany); OSTI
  2. Volkswagen AG, Group Innovation, Wolfsburg (Germany)
  3. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  4. Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)
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The porosity defects from components molded using sheet molding compounds is a well-recognized issue. It is the major source of paint defects in exterior applications, hindering the widespread use of these materials despite their inherent advantages over metals and thermoplastics. This study discusses the influence of fiber volume fraction and fiber length on the pore content and on the painted surface quality of class-A compounds. Compounds with varying glass fiber fraction and fiber length were compounded, compression molded and painted to analyze the influence of the aforementioned factors on the permeability of the fibrous network, the evolution of initial to final pore content and on the painted surface quality with regards to waviness and substrate-relevant paint defects. A new indicator, the pore transport efficiency factor is introduced to help quantify the related characterization feature. Our results indicate that lower fiber fractions lead to decreased pore contents and thus, improved paintability.

Research Organization:
Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation, Knoxville, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0006926
OSTI ID:
1803993
Journal Information:
Composites Part B: Engineering, Journal Name: Composites Part B: Engineering Journal Issue: C Vol. 185; ISSN 1359-8368
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (11)

Sheet molding compound characterization using spiral flow journal January 2008
Measurement of void collapse during resin transfer moulding journal January 1997
Investigation of the squeeze flow behaviour of Sheet Moulding Compounds (SMC) journal December 1998
Experimental flow-front visualisation in compression moulding of SMC journal October 2004
Predicting sizing dependent bending rigidity of glass fibre bundles in sheet moulding compounds journal October 2006
X-ray phase contrast microtomography for the analysis of the fibrous microstructure of SMC composites journal January 2008
The effect of yarn length and diameter on permeability and compaction response of flax fibre mats journal July 2011
3D in situ observations of the compressibility and pore transport in Sheet Moulding Compounds during the early stages of compression moulding journal January 2017
Dissolution of Voids during Compression Molding of SMC journal June 2009
Design of experiment study of compression moulding of SMC journal December 2009
Investigation of Quasi-Static and Dynamic Material Properties of a Structural Sheet Molding Compound Combined with Acoustic Emission Damage Analysis journal December 2017

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Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
A. Molding compounds
B. Porosity
D. CT analysis
E. Compression molding
Engineering
Materials Science