Abstract
Fiber reinforcement of plastics is used primarily to increase strength, stiffness and reduce thermal expansion, thus providing materials more like and competitive with metals. Leading examples for the benefits so obtained are sheet molding compound (SMC) and bulk molding compound (BMC) prepared from glass fibers and thermosetting unsaturated polyesters. These compounds can provide not only high strength and stiffness but also high heat resistance, high impact strength, smooth surfaces, zero mold shrinkage, easier than thermoplastic processing with substantially lower required molding pressures and, finally, low cost per unit volume. Representative properties are shown in Table 1 for typical compounds intended primarily for exterior automotive body parts, the highest volume application of these materials.
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