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Composites are used in automotive and truck industry for over 50 years now. Major reasons for automotive are weight reduction and design freedom as also cost competitiveness. SMC and BMC are widely used for exterior body panels. SMC and BMC are the best solution for weight reduction on a vehicle while stiffness or temperature performance or on-line paintability are basic demands and are also provided.
Examples are the decklids of various Coupés and Cabrioléts such as Renault Megane Coupe and Cabriolét, Ford Thunderbird and Volkswagen EOS.
The Thunderbird also has SMC fenders, hood and a tonneau cover made from SMC.
Since car bodies made of SMC / BMC have been realised (examples Chevrolet Corvette & Camaro, Renault Espace, Pontiac Fiero, GM Lumina APV and DC Viper, Renault Avantime, VOLVO ES 480) we can see structural components made of SMC coming up soon using the potential for more weight reduction.
In a project run by Menzolit and VW it was clearly demonstrated that an inner structure/ frame of a vehicle is feasable and can fulfil all requirements regarding stiffness and crash worthiness. A quarter body section with A and B pilar was made out of high performance compound (Menzolit-HPC) and moulded as two parts which were bond together with adhesive.
Newly designed Menzolit SMC 1800 is specialised to serve structural applications.
In the engine compartment SMC and BMC are used for oil sumps, valve covers and more and more for smaller precision devices such as throttle bodies and inlets.
Menzolit has specially designed materials for this use:
Menzolit SMC 1400
Menzolit BMC 1400
Lighting systems become very hot especially those which are encapsulated with a Polycarbonate window instead of glass.
Therefore many headlamp reflectors world wide are injection moulded from BMC. Menzolit offers special grades of SMC and BMC:
Menzolit BMC 3100
Features, Advantages And Benefits Of SMC / BMC Parts:
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Perfect surface
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On-line, in-line and off-line paintable
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Parts integration
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Light weight
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Low system cost
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Integration of functions
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Easy to bond
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Stiff
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Good mouldability
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Complex shape
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Weathering resistance
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Low moulding pressure
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Low tooling cost
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No corrosion
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High stiffness & strength
