ShapeTex用短纤维SMC成功覆盖预制体

Shape Group(Witney，UK)已经成功地将短纤维板料(SMC)组合在优化的连续碳纤维ShapeTex预制件上的批零件进行了压缩成型。这个过程通常被称为 过模 。通常情况下，模具是注射成型的化合物，但是在这种情况下ShapeTex使用的是压缩成型的SMC。

ShapeTex 预制体使用连续的碳纤维束，使完成的部分具有显著的强度，包括径向和轴向增强。短纤维SMC采用环氧树脂。成品厚4.5毫米。

“这项技术的潜力相当大，”McCool继续说。“我们已经对这一组合进行了很长一段时间的研究，并认为现在是将其推向市场的时候了。”我们有几个客户，他们喜欢SMC的美观外观，喜欢用管道、肋拱和固定滚筒按压和修复部件的能力，这意味着我们可以将特性合并到一个复合部件中，否则需要多个操作和部件。这一工艺是用环氧树脂热固性树脂开发的，并使用经批准的树脂系统提供了强度优化的封闭模塑件。“

虽然这些试验是在一个扁平的模式下进行的，但是这个过程同样适用于复杂的和双曲率的零件。Shape的目标是在汽车和体育器材市场上大量应用这一过程。

原文如下：

Shape Group (Witney, UK) has successfully compression molded the first batch of parts that combine short fiber sheet molding compound (SMC) over an optimized, continuous carbon fiber ShapeTex preform. This process is commonly referred to as  overmolding . Typically, the overmold is an injection molded compound, but in this case ShapeTex used a compression molded SMC.

The  ShapeTex  preform uses a continuous tow of carbon fiber that gives significant strength to the finished part, including both radial and axial reinforcement. The short fiber SMC uses epoxy resin. The finished part is 4.5mm thick.

“The potential of this technology is quite significant,” McCool continues. “We have been working on this combination for quite a while and feel that now is the time to bring it to market. We have several customers that like the aesthetic look of the SMC and the ability to press and cure parts with channels, ribs and fixing bosses means that we can incorporate features into a single composite part that would otherwise require multiple operations and parts. This process has been developed using epoxy thermoset resins and offers closed molded parts with optimized strength using approved resin systems.”

Although these trials were conducted in a flat mold the process lends itself equally to complex and double curvature parts. Shape is targeting high volume applications in the automotive and sports equipment market with this process.