Technical Paper
Automotive Under-the=Hood Applications in Vinyl Ester Resin SMC/BMC
1990-02-01
900633
Under-the-hood components with composites are currently making headway in the automotive arena. The corrosive environment these components are often exposed to, such as elevated temperature motor oil, is an important design consideration; however, as yet there is little commercial experience on the performance of composites under such conditions. This study investigates the effects of hot (160°C) “used” motor oil on vinyl ester glass fiber reinforced sheet molding compound (SMC) materials, simulating an extremely accelerated aging process indicative of under-the-hood conditions. Several SMC formulations were examined which varied in resin identity, filler type, and filler loading. All materials were evaluated for changes in appearance, weight and thickness, flexural properties, and thermal performance at one, three, and six month intervals. In addition to harsh environmental conditions, engine components must exhibit some degree of flame retardance.