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Why Sheet Moulding Compound(SMC) and its benefits?

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If you’re looking for a great material for moulding, you might want to consider Sheet Molding Compound (SMC). It’s made from a mix of unsaturated polyester resin and glass fibers or carbon that are over an inch long. The mixture includes either epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester. The result is a super-strong and durable material that’s also pretty cost-effective.

A material called Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) is commonly used for molding. This material is made by combining unsaturated polyester resin with either glass fibers or carbon fibers that are over an inch long. The resin mixture used can be made from any of three types: epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester. The resulting product is both strong and durable, as well as cost-effective.

Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) has been used in industrial applications for many years due to its excellent electrical properties. It can resist the flow of electrical current, making it useful for cable distribution boxes and electrical insulation. The use of SMC in the automobile industry began in the 1970s.

Many design engineers choose to use thermoset composites instead of metals for high-performance applications due to the limitations and high costs of metals. Thermoset composites offer more strength, dimensional stability, and corrosion resistance compared to metals while providing greater design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency.

The list of the SMC Products manufactured by INDO SMC private limited are:-

• Thermal Resistance

Thermoset polymers possess exceptional thermal resistance, with specific resin systems enabling temperatures up to 300°C. These materials are technically superior to engineering thermoplastics and a more cost-effective alternative to high-performance thermoplastics. SMC materials, which combine cross-linked polymers and high inorganic filler content, maintain excellent molding characteristics and are the preferred choice for applications requiring elevated service temperatures or temporary exposure to high temperatures. For demanding engineering applications, it is crucial that the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion closely matches metals, ensuring excellent performance across all temperatures.

• Fire Retardancy

I agree that high fire retardancy is crucial for many applications. Various additives can be added to different polymers to achieve this. Interestingly, SMC materials do not contain any halogens or harmful flame retardants, yet they can still maintain excellent properties even at low wall thicknesses.