METHOD OF REDUCING KNIT LINE DURING COMPRESSION MOLDING OF CARBON FIBER SMC FOR COMPLEX 3D STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

摘要

A structural automotive sub frame component (10) that is formed from a sheet molding compound having carbon fibers. The three dimensional structure is formed of a resin fiber mixture having a resin material infused with carbon fibers having a length of about 12.5 mm (0.5 inches) dispersed throughout the structural automotive sub frame component (10) and an even manner such that there are no resin rich areas or knit lines present. The absence of knit lines provides a structural automotive sub frame component (10) that has a high degree of flex modulus, tensile strength properties well also providing a greater breaking load property due to the absence of knit lines.