CompositesWorld

SEP 2017

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SEPTEMBER 2017 76 CompositesWorld FEATURE / Advances in SMC new hybrid systems, so we can match conventional SMC cycle times without losing productivity." e end-result of all the hard work says Hardebeck is no-VOC systems that don't require refrig- eration, offer longer outlife, improve productivity, are E-coat compatible and are less costly. On the other hand, this work didn't come easily. "We've had to adjust chemistry and go with multi-polymer systems that allow us to get a product that's good at wetout and can be handled, has the processing characteristics molders want and, when cured, provides the thermo-mechan- ical characteristics the customer needs," he adds. "at forced us to move into high-temperature liquids that are solid at room temperature and hot-melt applications featuring three and four polymers." He notes that the company has filed patents on some of the work and that Polynt-Reichhold has "some very smart polymer chemists who've met almost every challenge we've sent them." Commercial applications of Polynt-Reichhold's no- VOC VE SMC include the battery box and tray on the 2014 Chevrolet Spark electric vehicle from General Motors Co. (GM, Detroit, MI, US), which are molded by Continental Structural Plastics (CSP, Auburn Hills, MI, US) (see Learn More, p. 77), and floorboards on the 2016 Chevrolet Corvettes from GM that are produced by Molded Fiber- glass Corp. (MFG, Ashtabula, OH, US). "VOC emission requirements won't go away," states Dr. Mike Siwajek, CSP VP R&D.; "ey may be slower to phase in here [in the U.S.] than in China and Europe, but you can see emissions [requirements] tightening all over the world." He notes that many systems today meet current requirements, and that CSP as well as others are working on alternative chemistries — including thermoplastics. He does caution that such modifications, including moving to hot-melt systems, have their effects on compounding, molding and handling — in some cases, part properties improve, but in others, they can suffer. "Since styrene chemically crosslinks unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester systems, when you make styrene go away, the crosslinks go away unless you make it up with some absolutely open catalysts," he adds. "Currently, both hot-melt and solvent- based [compounding] approaches to lowering styrene come at increased costs to the compounder, and hence to the molder and OEM," notes Terrence O'Donovan, VP - marketing and sales, Core Molding Technologies Inc. (Columbus, OH, US). "As a compounder and molder, we favor a solution based on alternate resin systems." He feels that because the known approaches currently bring higher cost, that molders and OEMs need to demonstrate a commit- ment to the end result — lower residual styrene (and VOCs) — by accepting some cost increases in the short term. "If that happens, then commercialization will move more quickly," he predicts. "When you eliminate styrene and go to a hot-melt system, handling and processing can become challenging," notes Robert Seats, North American technology director at Ashland. "e contact: Wickert USA 2195 Arbor Tech Drive Hebron, KY 41048 859 525 6610 x157 sales@wickert-usa.com www.wickert-usa.com Your (Materials/Parameters) + Component Engineering = Turnkey Modular System CAMX Orlando September 11 - 14, 2017 Booth #G51 COMPOSITE MANUFAC TURING "Solutions for components beyond standard"

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