Composites Formix SMC / BMC
Formix SMC / BMC is a compound material for compression moulding which includes: resin (polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy), fillers, processing aids and reinforcing component (glass, carbon, basalt or other fiber). Formix is an indispensable raw material for the serial production of fiberglass products (from 10.000 pcs per year), combining strength, lightness, electrical performance, resistance to burning and low cost. Formix compound materials are processed in steel molds heated to 160 degrees Celsius on hydraulic presses or injection molding machines. SMC / ВМС technology is an important market segment for the production of composite materials (fiberglass) worldwide.
For example, in Europe in 2017, the share of SMC / ВМС technology was 25% of the total market.
High productivity (molding cycle: from 1.5 minutes), reduction of the production chain by integrating several parts of the product into one, consistency of product quality, manufacturability of processing and useful qualities of the final product (electrical insulation, strength, fire resistance, thermal conductivity, noise absorption, chemical and corrosion resistance) are the main technology benefits.
In addition to the production of ВМС / SMC, our company manufactures products from them on our own presses, and also offers:
- Economic calculation of the manufactureing of products using SMS / ВМС technology
- SMS / ВМС Product Design
- Modeling and ordering molds
- Enhanced control of tool manufacturers at all stages of production
- Molds commissioning on our own equipment
- Manufacturing of pilot / industrial batches of products
- Comprehensive technical support for the development of ВМС / SMC technology at the customer site
- Certification of molds and suppliers
The main differences between SMC and BMC
Formix SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) – sheet material for compression. Formix BMC (Bulk Molding Compound) – shapeless mass. Both types of material already contain
all the necessary ingredients (hardeners, accelerators, separators, pigments, etc.) and is completely ready for processing (compression / molding). There are two processing methods: direct compression and injection molding, by means of a hydraulic press or injection molding machine, respectively, in steel molds heated to 160 degrees Celsius.
In SMC, a longer fiberglass is used and its % is higher – the physical and mechanical properties are higher than that of ВМС. The width of the material is up to 1.1 m. The minimum batch is 150 kg. SMC is processed, as a rule, into large-area products: facing panels, boards, cases of cabinets, equipment. In ВМС, shorter fiberglass, % fiberglass content is lower, the physical and mechanical properties are lower than that of SMC. Material is packed in styrene-tight bags weighing no more than 12-14 kg, laid in cardboard boxes. Minimum batch is 100 kg.
ВМС is processed into complex design products of a small size: electrical enclosures that do not carry structural elements, covers, plugs, etc.
Comparison with other materials
| Characteristic | Steel | Aluminum | Thermoplastic | ВМС/ SMC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parts Integration | – – – | + | +++ | +++ |
| Material utilization rate | – – – | + | +++ | +++ |
| Corrosion Resistance | – – – | – – – | ++ | +++ |
| Strength | +++ | ++ | – – – | ++ |
| Rigidity | +++ | +++ | – – – | ++ |
| Weight | – – – | – – – | +++ | +++ |
| Flame retardant | +++ | ++ | – – – | ++ |
| Heat resistance | +++ | ++ | – – – | ++ |
| Reuse | ++ | ++ | ++ | – – – |
| Electromagnetic permeability | – – – | – – – | +++ | +++ |
| +++ positive / – – -negative |
- SMC / BMC is a good alternative to other materials.
- The ability to combine (integrate) several parts of a part into one, thereby eliminating many secondary operations and shortening the production chain.
- A unique combination of high physical and mechanical properties and performance in one product
- Indispensable technology for large-scale production of fiberglass products (min. series 10 thousand units per year)
- Does not require high staff numbers and qualifications
- The production cycle of the finished product from 1.5 to 15 minutes
- Application is defined only by imagination
| FORMIX BMC 250 | FORMIX BMC 450 | FORMIX BMC 380 | FORMIX BMC 330 | FORMIX SMC 250 | FORMIX SMC 450 | FORMIX SMC 380 | FORMIX SMC 330 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Processing method | direct compression | injection molding | direct compression | direct compression | direct compression | direct compression | direct compression | direct compression |
| Shrink% | 0,07-0,15 | -0,03 | 0,07-0,15 | 0,07-0,15 | 0,07-0,15 | -0,05-0,02 | 0,07-0,15 | 0,07-0,15 |
| Surface resistance, Ohm / cm2 | 1012 | 1012 | 106– 109 | 1012 | 1012 | 1012 | 106– 109 | 1012 |
| Volume resistance Ohm * m | 1015 | 1015 | 106 and more | 1015 | 1015 | 1015 | 1015 and more | 1015 |
| Water absorption,% less than 0.5 | less than 0.5 | less than 0.5 | less than 0.5 | less than 0.3 | less than 0.5 | less than 0.5 | less than 0.5 | less than 0.3 |
| Glass fiber content,% | 10 – 25 | 10 – 25 | 10 – 25 | 10 – 25 | 20 – 50, Ud | 20 – 50, Ud | 20 – 50, Ud | 20 – 50, Ud |
| Strength characteristics depend on % fiberglass |
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| % fiberglass | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
| Tensile Strength, MPa | 23 | 27 | 31 | 35 | 56 | 60 | 84 | 130 |
| Bending Strength, MPa | 74 | 60 | 100 | 120 | 136 | 145 | 180 | 250 |
| Bending modulus, GPa | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Impact strength, kJ / m2 | 12 | 17 | 29 | 30 | 61 | 65 | 80 | 100 |
