Factors Impacting the Surface Quality of a Liquid Composite Molded Surface - Part I: Polyester/Compression Molded Composites

Fiber Directed Preform and SprayVeil™ rovings can be used as the reinforcement in Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) applications where surface quality is important. In this paper, Fiber Directed Preforming and SprayVeil rovings are compared to continuous strand mat and conventional surfacing veil.

Factors impacting the quality of the liquid composite molded surface are explored. Polyester/Compression Molded (matched die molded) Composites were studied in a fractional factorial designed experiment. Responses were part quality, surface appearance, and mechanical properties.