Review of the Numerical Modeling of Compression Molding of Sheet Molding Compound

Abstract

A review of the numerical modeling of the compression molding of the sheet molding compound (SMC) is presented. The focus of this review is the practical difficulties of modeling cases with high fiber content, an area in which there is relatively little documented work. In these cases, the prediction of the flows become intricate due to several reasons, mainly the complex rheology of the compound and large temperature gradients, but also the orientation of fibers and the micromechanics of the interactions between the fluid and the fibers play major roles. The details of this during moldings are discussed. Special attention is given to the impact on viscosity from the high fiber volume fraction, and the various models for this. One additional area of interest is the modeling of the fiber orientation.