Consists of four dry ingredients - filler, fire retardant, thickener, and internal old release - which are mixed together. The dry items are then mixed with liquid resin and a catalyst, which form a thick paste. The paste is then spread evenly over a sheet of polyethylene and sprinkled evenly with one-inch chopped glass fibers, which in turn is covered by another sheet of polyethylene. The sheet is then kneaded with heavy steel rollers until all fiberglass is covered with paste. The kneaded sheets are then layered and left to mature in bins for three days. The polyethylene sheets are then removed and the SMC is no longer a paste but something comparable to 1/4" wet leather. It is at this point that the sheet goes into a mold under extreme heat and pressure and a desired mold is achieved. |