HC Plastics News:
Shape Group (Witney, UK) has successfully applied short-fiber sheet-forming composites (SMC) to optimized continuous carbon fiber ShapeTex preforms and compression-molded the first parts. Usually this process is called overmolding. Typically, overmolding uses an injection molded composite, but in this case, ShapeTex uses a compression molded SMC.
ShapeTex successfully prepares continuous carbon fiber preforms with short fiber SMC
The ShapeTex preform uses a continuous carbon fiber bundle that provides a significant increase in the radial and axial strength of the finished product. The short fiber SMC is made of epoxy resin and the finished product is 4.5 mm thick.
The company cannot specifically inform customers because of this demonstration. “But this is an exciting development. We can use the continuous fibers of the Shape Tex prefabricated piece as a structural support to reinforce a short-fiber laminate that makes it easier to flow and fill the mold cavity.†Shape's total Manager (Peter McCool) said.
McCool went on to say, “This technology has great application prospects. We have spent a lot of time exploring how to achieve the connection between the two. Now, it is time to bring it to market. Some of our customers like SMC. The aesthetic appearance and its ability to press and repair parts using channels, ribs and fixed rollers means that we can combine these different features into one composite part, avoiding too complicated operations and multiple parts. The process is thermoset Epoxy resin developed using an approved resin system to ensure the best strength of the closed molded part."
Although these tests were performed in flat dies, this process is equally applicable to complex double curvature parts. Shape will use this process to target high-volume applications in the automotive and sports equipment markets. 
Editor in charge: Yao Chunlin
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