Reinforced-plastic bulk-molding

HDPE, high density polyethylene PP, polypropylene EVA, ethylene—vinyl alcohol SMC, sheet-molding compound ERP, fiber-reinforced plastic LDPE, low density polyethylene PE, polyethylene BMC, bulk mol ding compound TPE, thermoplastic elastomer. 

Processors Some companies manufacture their own polymeric materials for subsequent processing, but the majority purchases the necessary polymeric materials from other companies. Processors may specialize in the use of selected polymers, such as nylons and polycarbonates, or focus on particular techniques of processing, such as coatings, films, sheets, laminates, and bulk molded and reinforced plastics. 

The resin matrix can be either thermosetting or thermoplastic. Thermosetting resins such as epoxy, polyimide, polyester, and phenolic are used in applications where physical properties are important. Polyester and epoxy composites make up the bulk of the thermoset composite market. Of these two, polyesters dominate by far. Reinforced with glass fiber, these are known as fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRPs). FRPs are molded by layup and spray-up methods or by compression molding either a preform or sheet molding compound (SMC). 

Far from being extending bulk fillers added at high loadings to displace resin, nanofillers are functional reinforcements that enhance properties at low loadings. The optimum result of their development would be nanocomposite resin systems that can be easily processed with common compounding, extmsion, and molding equipment. But questions remain about whether their processability and economics will truly allow nanofiller-reinforced plastics to reach widespread use... 

---