Sep 10 2014
Core Molding Technologies, Inc., a leading North American compounder of custom sheet molding compound (SMC) and molder of fiberglass reinforced plastics, today announced the availability of two new ultra-low density SMC formulations. The systems expand Core's industry-leading offerings of ultra-low density SMC materials and molded composite products.
Core's new, ultra-low density Mirilite™ SMC has a nominal density of 1.2 sp.gr., and demonstrates automotive Class A surface performance. Under suitable molding conditions, Mirilite™ SMC can achieve an ALSA rating of 57-63, while weighing 37% less than traditional Class A SMC material systems. (ALSA, Advanced Laser Surface Analysis, is an industry-recognized standard for classifying the surface appearance of composites. An ALSA rating of 65 or lower indicates a Class A surface condition.) Mirilite™ SMC is intended for exterior applications in automobiles and heavy trucks, including hoods, door panels and trunk deck lids or other applications requiring high cosmetic appearances.
The company has also developed a lower-cost, ultra-low density SMC for utility applications that do not require premium surface appearance. Econolite™ SMC is a 1.18 sp.gr. system that evolved from the company's highly-successful FeatherliteXL™ and Airilite® SMC systems. Econolite™ SMC is a less-expensive ultra-low density SMC that can find wide application in reinforcement structures and other components that do not require a high-appearance painted surface finish, but which benefit from a 38% reduction in weight compared to standard-density SMC materials.
The materials round out an industry-leading suite of ultra-low density SMC systems available from Core. "These two systems represent true advances in ultra-low density SMC formulations," said Terry O'Donovan, vice president, marketing and sales for Core Molding Technologies. "Customers in the automotive and heavy truck industries are actively pursuing lightweighting initiatives and use composites in many exterior applications. Our Mirilite™ SMC gives designers in these and other industries a new material option for their Class A products," O'Donovan said. "Traditionally, achieving ultra-low density performance in an SMC has always come with a cost penalty. Our Econolite™ SMC significantly reduces the economic impact of using a 1.18 sp.gr. material in general-purpose applications," he said.
Evaluation plaques and material testing data for both Mirilite™ and Econolite™ SMC are available to qualified customers.
Source: http://www.coremt.com/