Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) is used in automobile body panels for weight reduction instead of sheet metal. As an alternative material SMC must fulfill the strength requirement as well as contribute less weight to Body-in-white (BIW). Hence, its thickness selection must be done strategically. In this paper, the degree of experiments (DOE) technique was used to determine the suitable thickness of SMC that can replace the traditional sheet metal roof in automobiles. In DOE technique, a bending test set up was created and tested by FE analysis on Abaqus and followed by lab testing as a part of validation.

"/> SMC, thickness, DOE, lab testing, automobile roof

"/> Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) is used in automobile body panels for weight reduction instead of sheet metal. As an alternative material SMC must fulfill the strength requirement as well as contribute less weight to Body-in-white (BIW). Hence, its thickness selection must be done strategically. In this paper, the degree of experiments (DOE) technique was used to determine the suitable thickness of SMC that can replace the traditional sheet metal roof in automobiles. In DOE technique, a bending test set up was created and tested by FE analysis on Abaqus and followed by lab testing as a part of validation.

"/> Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) is used in automobile body panels for weight reduction instead of sheet metal. As an alternative material SMC must fulfill the strength requirement as well as contribute less weight to Body-in-white (BIW). Hence, its thickness selection must be done strategically. In this paper, the degree of experiments (DOE) technique was used to determine the suitable thickness of SMC that can replace the traditional sheet metal roof in automobiles. In DOE technique, a bending test set up was created and tested by FE analysis on Abaqus and followed by lab testing as a part of validation.

"/> Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) is used in automobile body panels for weight reduction instead of sheet metal. As an alternative material SMC must fulfill the strength requirement as well as contribute less weight to Body-in-white (BIW). Hence, its thickness selection must be done strategically. In this paper, the degree of experiments (DOE) technique was used to determine the suitable thickness of SMC that can replace the traditional sheet metal roof in automobiles. In DOE technique, a bending test set up was created and tested by FE analysis on Abaqus and followed by lab testing as a part of validation.

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Thickness determination of SMC replacing Sheet metals for Automobile roof

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering
© 2014 by SSRG - IJME Journal
Volume 1 Issue 6
Year of Publication : 2014
Authors : Sainath A. Waghmare, Prashant D. Deshmukh
10.14445/23488360/IJME-V1I6P108
pdf
How to Cite?

Sainath A. Waghmare, Prashant D. Deshmukh, "Thickness determination of SMC replacing Sheet metals for Automobile roof," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 1,  no. 6, pp. 22-26, 2014. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V1I6P108

Abstract:

Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) is used in automobile body panels for weight reduction instead of sheet metal. As an alternative material SMC must fulfill the strength requirement as well as contribute less weight to Body-in-white (BIW). Hence, its thickness selection must be done strategically. In this paper, the degree of experiments (DOE) technique was used to determine the suitable thickness of SMC that can replace the traditional sheet metal roof in automobiles. In DOE technique, a bending test set up was created and tested by FE analysis on Abaqus and followed by lab testing as a part of validation.

Keywords:

SMC, thickness, DOE, lab testing, automobile roof

References:

[1]    Martin Fisk, Damage level calculation in SMC composite structures, master’s thesis, Lulea University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2006.
[2]        P. Beardmore, C.F. Johnson and G.G. Strosberg, Impact of new materials on Basic manufacturing industries – case study: Composite Automobile Structure, Ford Motor co., 1987.
[3]        NHTSA, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216 - Roof Crush Resistance. CFR 49 571.216., 1997.
[4]        George S. Springer, Effects of Temperature and moisture on sheet molding compound, Journal of reinforced plastics and composites, 2, April 1983, 70-89.
[5]        Sainath A. Waghmare and Prashant D. Deshmukh, Strategic selection of alternative material for automobile roof to improve crashworthiness in rollover accidents, International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, 4(6), June 2014, 132-138.
[6]    DIAB knowledge series, Sandwich composites and core materials, core guide, www.diabguide.com.
[7]    Sarah Boylan, Lisa M. Abrams and Jose M. Castro, Predicting molding forces during sheet molding compound (SMC) compression molding II: Effect of SMC composition, Polymer Composites, 24(6), Dec. 2003, 731-747.