Towards a Holistic Approach for an Efficient Determination of the Rheological Behavior of Sheet Molding Compounds for Process Simulation

Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) materials offer attractive specific strength and stiffness properties. With an addition of short cycle times, the possibility for complex geometries a high recycling potential, this material is promising solution manufacture lightweight components numerous industrial sectors. Accurate reliable simulation can contribute to fast competitive development process effectively reduce time-to-market. Especially, accuracy simulative filling crucial be able predict mechanical properties hence, pave way structural parts. An appropriate characterization rheological behavior therefore, accurate results. To purpose bar flow tests are performed experimental results compared numerical A sensitivity analysis investigate influence each parameter on outcome. Furthermore, guidelines improve testing equipment derived. In method some improvement potential was identified necessity closer compression could established.