Experimental and Finite Element Analysis of failure of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) and Steel Insert Joint

Abstract

The use of SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) has regained a renewed interest from the automotive industry over the last years. SMC is a thermoset polymer glass fiber matrix compound widely used for manufacturing automotive parts, sub-structural components. This work is concerned with understanding the concept of compounding of SMC sheets, concept of compression molding process, post-molding processes and mathematical investigation of maximum bearable pullout force for the failure of sheet molding compound and steel insert joint. The actual experiment, pullout test was done on universal testing machine and average maximum pullout force found out. The safe limit of pullout force is set by industry standards equal to 300N. The experiment results showed maximum pullout force equal to 1869.34N. Finite element analysis was done using CAE tool on four FE models and the results are compared.