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Optimization of polyester sheet molding compound. Part II: Theoretical modeling
Author(s) -
Fan J. D.,
Lee L. James
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.750070408
Subject(s) - sheet moulding compound , materials science , isothermal process , differential scanning calorimetry , transfer molding , composite material , polyester , molding (decorative) , constant (computer programming) , limiting , decomposition , kinetic energy , heat transfer , thermodynamics , mechanical engineering , computer science , mold , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics , biology , engineering , programming language
A mechanistic kinetic and heat transfer model is used to describe the cure of sheet molding compounds (SMC). Kinetic parameters such as rate constant of initiator decomposition and rate constant of propagation are estimated from the induction time and the time to reach the peak exotherm of isothermal reaction curves measured by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Temperature and conversion profiles inside plate sections of SMC parts during molding are measured. The predicted results compare well with the experimental data except the limiting conversion. A set of predictive parameters are proposed from this model as guidelines for the optimal molding of SMC. Several moldability diagrams are also constructed which can be easily used to design the optimum SMC recipe for a given processing condition.