Versatility of product and process is very important to sheet molding compound (SMC) compounders and molders. Compounders desire to inventory as few resin products as possible and need these resins to utilize existing compounding equipment. Also, current SMC molders continue to diversify into new and varied applications. One area of growth is large parts (e.g., truck components, personal water craft) that have been historically molded by hand lay-up/spray-up or resin transfer molding (RTM). Many of these parts are now being redesigned in SMC. In order to capture these opportunities, molders either need to install larger presses or use compounds that are moldable under lower pressures. To most molders, the latter approach is much more desirable.
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