Sora Composites

Thermosetting processes

Click on the various processes to see their features.

BMC SMC SMC-IMC
BMC SMC
High Pressure - Low Pressure - Low Density 		SMC + IMC
RTM RTM-Carbone Moulage-Contact Moussage
RTM
(Resin Transfer Molding)
 RTM Carbon
(Resin Transfer Molding)
 Contact moulding RIM PUR foaming


BMC

Bulk Molding Compound

Process

  • Injection of a fibre-resin compound

Advantages

  • Short cycle time
  • Net shape process
  • Automatable process

Applications

  • Body panels
  • Tailgates
  • Rear spoilers
 bmc-2

SMC

Sheet Molding Compound

Process

  • Compression in a heated mould of sheets pre-impregnated with glass fibre and polyester resin.
  • Possibility of lowering the pressure (low pressure SMC) to optimise machines and tools

Advantages

  • Cycle time: 2 -3 min
  • Net shape process

Applications

  • Automotive body parts
  • Agricultural body parts
  • Industrial applications

smc-2

smc-3

SMC HP + IMC

Sheet Molding Compound High Pressure + Injection Mold Coating

Process

  • Spraying of a primer during the moulding phase

Advantages

  • Improved surface quality (Class A)
  • Fewer painting operations

Applications

  • Class A body parts
smc-imc-4

smc-imc-2

smc-imc-3

RTM / ICS

Resin Transfer Molding / Injection Compression Sotira

Process

  • RTM : Moulding by low pressure injection of resin on a fibre mat, or a preform, placed in a closed mould.
  • ICS : Patented process for injection of a low profile resin on glass or carbon reinforcement.

Advantages

  • Net shape process
  • Use of long fibres (good mechanical properties)

Applications

  • Structural parts
  • Body parts

rtm-2rtm-3

RTM visible carbon

Process

  • Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) on carbon fabric (Serge or Satin)

Advantages

  • Short cycle time
  • Low-cost process
 rtm-carbone-2 rtm-carbone-3 rtm-carbone-4

Applications

  • Body visible carbon parts (deflectors, diffusers, bonnets and boots, roofs)
  • Interior trim carbon parts (dashboard components, consoles, engine trim parts)
rtm-carbone-5

Contact moulding

Process

  • Application of a gel coat then manual impregnation in a female mould and curing in an oven

Advantages

  • Low tooling cost
  • 1 -3 parts per tooling

Applications

  • Urban supplies
  • Very small series body parts

moulage-contact-2moulage-contact-3

RIM PUR foaming

Process

  • Reactive moulding process mixing two main components, polyol and isocyanate, resulting in a chemical reaction lasting about one minute (expansion).

  • The product range extends from very flexible (seat foams) to very rigid (cover and support components)

Advantages

  • Rigid or flexibel skin
  • Short cycle
  • Creation of complex cores

Applications

  • Foam core for deflectors
  • Foam core for sandwich parts

moussage-2