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Sheet molding compound characterization using spiral flow
Author(s) -
Rabinovich Michael,
Olsavsky Kate L.,
Leach Burr Bud,
CabreraRíos Mauricio,
Castro José M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.25160
Subject(s) - sheet moulding compound , molding (decorative) , materials science , transfer molding , composite material , automotive industry , compression molding , spiral (railway) , specific strength , characterization (materials science) , truck , glass fiber , composite number , mechanical engineering , nanotechnology , engineering , mold , automotive engineering , aerospace engineering
Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a fiber‐reinforced polymeric composite. It is often used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications over other materials because of its high strength to density ratio, resistance to corrosion, and low cost. There is a demand in the SMC industry to be able to characterize SMC processability. This is particularly true for heavy truck body panels, one of the fastest growing applications of SMC. Because of their large size and high strength requirement, the molding forces have a major influence in the molding cycle. Also because of the long flow paths involved, the ability of the paste to carry glass needs to be properly characterized when developing new SMC materials. In this article, we demonstrate the benefits of using spiral flow as a processability tester. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008