Total Organic Content (TOC) In SMC/BMC Molded Parts

摘要

In the recent history of composites, one issue that has continued to be pressing is that of residual styrene in molded parts. Significant progress has been made in measuring and reducing styrene that may have caused odor issues. In Europe the Automotive manufacturing companies that are using composite parts have now identified other compounds that they deem a nuisance. Some of these compounds are hard to quantify but specific levels of residuals have been set by most of the European car makers. This paper demonstrates a methodology for identifying those compounds and their levels, as well as exploring alternative peroxides that can reduce the levels of these compounds. To date, in the US, this is not an issue that has to be dealt with. But, as stricter guidelines are developed to what may be allowed in molded parts, the methodology and possible reduction of potentially non desirable residuals has been identified. The importance to the US molders is that if this becomes an issue, the work has been done so quick resolutions can be made.