Abstract
SMC(Sheet Molding Compound), a thermoset composite material which consists of unsaturated polyester resin, fiberglass strands, fillers, and various chemical additives for curing agent, has been widely used in fabrication of structural components. The mechanical properties of molded SMS parts are strongly dependent on material flow results during compression molding process, while such flow in molds is affected by material characteristics. For numerical simulation of SMC molding process, estimation of material property of SMC must be accomplished. In this study, flow resistance of SMC was estimated through a simple compression test using a lubricant with grease oil under the constant strain rate condition at various temperatures and the result was compared with other material data available in the literature. The accuracy of the experimentally determined flow resistance was tested by finite element analyses of compression molding of SMC. Simulation results were compared with experimental results under the plane strain condition.