BFG Africa uses a variety of methods to produce FRP parts. Our experienced engineers will select the best method for your project based on factors such as production volume, parts dimensions, budget, and other requirements.

Our extensive experience with press moulding enables us to produce innovative and cost-effective parts for our OEM customers.

The process is best suited for large structurally reinforced parts requiring two-sided finish. It is best for moderate to high production quantities of between 5,000 and 10,000 parts per year

Process
Sheet moulding compound (SMC) is both a process and reinforced composite material. The composite is a “ready to mould” glass or carbon fiber reinforced polyester material primarily used in compression moulding. The SMC sheets are manufactured in a continuous in-line process by dispersing long strands of chopped glass fibers or carbon fibers on a bath of polyester resin, vinyl ester resin or epoxy resin. It is a flexible, leather-like sheet that is easily cut, weighed and placed in the mould for curing to the desired part configuration.

SMC materials are thermosets and contain glass or carbon reinforcement levels between 10 and 60 percent. The longer fibers in SMC result in better strength properties than standard bulk moulding compound (BMC) products. Standard SMC contains up to 35 percent of randomly oriented fibers by weight. Because there is no mixing or extruding involved in preparing sheet moulding compound, the fibers remain undamaged and at their original lengths. This plus the higher fiber loading provides very good mechanical properties in compression-molded SMC parts, especially those having relatively thin cross sections.