| Due to its high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and low cost. Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) production offers great potential for growth in the automotive and trucking industry. Much attention is now being given to improving the economy of SMC compression molding by reducing the cycle time required to produce acceptable parts in steady production.; One of the fastest growing applications of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) compression molding panels is the manufacture of truck body panels. Due to their large size, the molding forces developed are substantial and have a major influence in the molding cycle. The relevant process models for SMC flow are reviewed and a procedure is developed that can be used to obtain the closing force and calculate the needed material parameters. Experiments were done using commercially made SMC varying quantities of glass, filler, and thickener to verify the validity of this model and the compression force was predicted for commercially made automotive hoods.; It was found that glass and filler had a significant impact on the material parameters. When the amount of glass was increased, both material parameters m/δn and η increased. Similar trends were seen when increasing the amount of filler. For the thickener used in this research (magnesium oxide), it was found that it had minimal effect on the material parameters. Molding conditions and initial SMC charge configurations were also varied to see their effects on molding force and material parameters. Initial charge dimensions and volume as well as mold closing speed showed no effect on material parameters, while molding temperature showed a minimal effect.; Material parameters were calculated for each SMC composition. These parameters were used to predict the compression force for the Corvette hood and Fiero hood. These predictions were compared with actual Corvette and Fiero hoods manufactured in industry. They predicted the commercially made parts quite well. |
