CSMC | Carbon Fiber SMC

CSMC combines the lightweight properties of carbon composites with a well known manufacturing process, as compression moulding, that allows fast manufacturing and thus is suitable for high volume industrial applications.

CSMC is a carbon fibre reinforced compound, in a thermoset resin matrix (generally vynil-ester or epoxy), with different additives to reach specific characteristics and improve its transformation.

Our Carbkid® SMC products come as a sheet 1500 mm wide supplied either on ≈1000 kg MegaRolls or ≈100 kg MiniRolls.

What is CSMC?

El CSMC (Carbon Fiber Sheet Moulding Compound) es un material polimérico compuesto reforzado con fibra de carbono, que consiste en una resina termoestable (habitualmente viniléster o epoxy) y diferentes aditivos que permiten obtener unas determinadas características específicas y mejorar el comportamiento del material durante el proceso de moldeo del producto final.

Mientras el SMC estándar está reforzado con fibras de vidrio, el CSMC está reforzado con fibras cortadas o tejidos de carbono. Los materiales CSMC combinan las características de bajo peso que ofrecen los composites de carbono en conjunción con un proceso de conformación ampliamente extendido, como es el moldeo por compresión, que permite ciclos cortos de fabricación y, por lo tanto, es apto para aplicaciones industriales en grandes series.

CSMC MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Resins and additives are automatically weighted and mixed together. The colour pigments and thickeners are measured and mixed continuously with the mother paste in a computer-controlled process forming the impregnation paste. The impregnation paste is immediately transferred to the carbon fibre impregnation line.

The impregnation paste is transferred to a doctor box where it is deposited onto a moving carrier film. Simultaneously the carbon fibre is chopped to a pre-determined length and dropped onto the layer of paste. A second film is coated with a layer of paste and then used to cover the fibre cuttings creating a “sandwich”.

The resulting sheet is then sent through a series of compaction rollers to ensure a perfect impregnation or wet out of the chopped fibre. At the end of the impregnation line, the sheet can be rolled up using MegaRolls or MiniRolls.

MATURATION AND CONSERVATION

CSMC must mature before it reaches optimal conditions for moulding. The resin paste changes from a liquid state during manufacturing to a semi-solid state at its optimal condition period. This change in viscosity is achieved through the introduction of the thickening agent during manufacturing. Typically the required maturation time is between 2 and 4 days, depending on the specific formulation.

Even after the material has matured, it continues to thicken at a speed dependant on the storage temperature. Therefore there is an optimal utilisation period of typically, between 1 and 6 months, dependant mainly on the specific formulation and storage temperature, which is recommended to be between 5ºC and 25ºC. Higher storage temperatures can significantly reduce the usability time of CSMC.

CSMC MOULDING

CSMC is mainly used in hot press compression moulding. Although moulding activities are carried out by our customers, Astar assists during moulding trials and offers complete technical assistance everytime is required.

+ Moulding Processes

CSMC Product Overview

CSMC (Carbon Fiber VE SMC or Carbon Fiber Epoxy SMC) is used in hot press compression moulding for the production of lightweight parts with very high mechanical properties. Our Carbkid® SMC  products are adaptable to your needs. All our formulations are designed according to your specific requirements.

  • VE or Epoxy matrix.
  • 3K, 12K, 50K carbon fibre.
  • Fabric reinforcements.
  • Hybrid solutions.