High Performance Resin Technology for Structural Automotive Applications

In 1978 ICI Americas first introduced a family of high performance resins and a unique urethane thickening process for the production of structural grade SMC. A review of the benefits and advantages of this technology in relation to structural automotive applications is given. Emphasis is given to both the characteristics of the performance resins and the novel urethane thickening process. The suitability and desirability of utilizing these materials as light-weight replacement materials for structural automotive uses is explored in regard to their toughness, fatigue and retention of properties at non-ambient temperatures. Actual field experience will be used to summarize the usefulness of these materials in structural automotive applications.