BioSMC

Within this research project, both fillers and resin systems were replaced by bio-based counterparts.

In the research project BioSMC, new fields of applications were opened up by using bio-based and renewable raw materials in SMC semi-finished products. Conventional glass fiber reinforced SMC semi-finished products usually consist of approx. 15–25 wt.-% of unsaturated polyester resin including anti-shrinkage additives, approx. 7 wt.-% of application specific additives, approx. 40 wt.-% of mineral fillers (e.g. calcium carbonate) and approx. 20–35 wt.-% of reinforcement fibers with a length of 25.4 mm. By replacing resin, fillers and reinforcement fibers with bio-based components, the aim was to develop new SMC semi-finished products, which are processible under conventional SMC manufacturing and processing parameters, also show significantly reduced density compared to conventional SMC and provide the same absolute mechanical properties.

By using basalt fibers as reinforcing fibers, the share of bio-based components were increased up to 74 wt.-%. These semifinished products show a density which is up to 20% lower than conventional SMC semi-finished products and provide absolute achievable mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional materials.