A new Acrylic based Sheet Moulding Compound has better performance compared to Polyester.

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Mitsubishi Rayon has recently launched a new series of modified acrylic sheet moulding thermoset compound (SMC) as an alternative to Polyesters. These new products have better weatherability, hot water resistance and excellent gloss retention.

These products can find applications in bathtubs, automotive and boat parts and road barriers. They tend to provide an excellent marble effect. The new SMC are filled with 30% glass fibers along with special compatibilizers for modified Acrylics to achieve uniform bonding that exhibits uniform shrinkage.

The new products are considered to be more expensive compared to Polyesters. However, the longer lifetime could offset the higher cost. These products retain mechanical properties over a long exposure to weathering. They also withstand hot water better. The colour change in the hot water is significantly lower compared to Polyester based SMC.

(Source: Modern Plastics International, April 2001)