JOURNAL OF POLYMER ENGINEERING

 Vol. 22, No. 4, 2002, page 233

APPLICATIONS OF CHEMO-RHEOLOGY TO DEVELOP PROCESS WINDOWS IN REACTIVE IN-MOLD COATING

Konstantin S. Zuyev

Graduate Teaching Associate

Department of Industrial, Welding, and Systems Engineering

The Ohio State University

210 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue

Columbus, Ohio 43210

614-688-4173; Fax: 614-292-7852

Email address: zuyev.1@osu.edu

Jose M. Castro*

Associate Professor

Department of Industrial, Welding, and Systems Engineering

The Ohio State University

222 Baker Systems, 1971 Neil Avenue

Columbus, Ohio 43210

614-688-8233; Fax: 614-292-7852

Email address: castro.38@osu.edu

Abstract

In-Mold Coating (IMC) products have been used for many years to enhance the surface properties of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) compression molded reinforced plastic parts. IMC provides a smooth, sealed surface which can be used as a conductive primer for subsequent finished-paint operations and in some cases as a substitute for paint altogether. Painting is a very costly and non-environmentally friendly operation. Thus, a new class of coating materials is being developed for thermoplastic substrates. In this paper, we measure the kinetics and chemo-rheology of a typical IMC used for SMC compression molded parts and for a proposed IMC candidate for thermoplastics. We show how chemo-rheological measurements can be used to establish process windows.

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