Compression, SMC, DMC and BMC moulding

Quality-control tests and important process variables 

Typical systems are polyester and phenolic resins filled with glass fibres and mineral fillers. 

The kinematics of flow in compression moulding of SMCs has been examined by Barone and Caulk (1985), who used flow visualization with alternating coloured sheets in compression moulding to find that SMCs deform in uniform extension within individual layers with slip at the mould wall. Additionally, at lower compression speeds there is interlayer flow. 

Kau and Hagerman (1986) experimentally mapped pressure and temperature profiles for SMC compression moulding and noted the presence of two clear flow and cure regions, together with a correlation with lubrication flow. 

Rheological properties of mineral-filled and mineral/glass-fibre-filled unsaturated polyester DMCs have been presented by Gandhi and Bums (1976), who found that a simple power law was useful to characterize the chemorheology of both systems (note that limited cure effects during compressional flow are assumed). This work was extended by a series of 

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