Abstract: A molding composition formulation includes a thermoset cross-linkable 12 to 45 micron polymeric resin. Hollow glass microspheroids are present from 2 to 12 total weight percent. An article formed from such a composition is further strengthened by the addition of a surface activating agent bonded to the surface of the glass microspheroids. Conventional particulate fillers when added to an inventive formulation provide enhanced performance when the filler particle has a size sufficiently small to insert within adjacent microspheroid interstitial voids. An unsaturated polyester resin so formed is particularly well suited for the formation of sheet molding compound formulations.

Abstract: A conductive thermoset material is provided that provides shielding against electromagnetic radiation. The conductive thermoset material includes an intermixed conductive material dispersed essentially throughout. An antisettling additive is present in the conductive thermoset material to support dispersion, optionally, homogenous dispersion of the conductive material in the resin. The conductive thermoset material is formable into one or more articles. The articles may be transportable and resistant to significant conductivity changes by contact with other surfaces.

Abstract: A molding composition formulation includes a thermoset cross-linkable 12 to 45 micron polymeric resin. Hollow glass microspheroids are present from 2 to 12 total weight percent. An article formed from such a composition is further strengthened by the addition of a surface activating agent bonded to the surface of the glass microspheroids. Conventional particulate fillers when added to an inventive formulation provide enhanced performance when the filler particle has a size sufficiently small to insert within adjacent microspheroid interstitial voids. An unsaturated polyester resin so formed is particularly well suited for the formation of sheet molding compound formulations.

Abstract: A molding composition formulation includes a thermoset cross-linkable 12 to 45 micron polymeric resin. Hollow glass microspheroids are present from 2 to 12 total weight percent. An article formed from such a composition is further strengthened by the addition of a surface activating agent bonded to the surface of the glass microspheroids. Conventional particulate fillers when added to an inventive formulation provide enhanced performance when the filler particle has a size sufficiently small to insert within adjacent microspheroid interstitial voids. An unsaturated polyester resin so formed is particularly well suited for the formation of sheet molding compound formulations.

Abstract: A conductive thermoset material is provided that provides shielding against electromagnetic radiation. The conductive thermoset material includes an intermixed conductive material dispersed essentially throughout. An antisettling additive is present in the conductive thermoset material to support dispersion, optionally, homogenous dispersion of the conductive material in the resin. The conductive thermoset material is formable into one or more articles. The articles may be transportable and resistant to significant conductivity changes by contact with other surfaces.

Abstract: A molding composition is provided that includes a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin, a fibrous filler and a thickener system. The thickener system includes an amine and an isocyanate that are reactive to form a polyurea. The polyurea is operative to thicken the molding composition formulation prior to polymeric resin thermoset with superior properties relative to conventional thickener systems. A molded article produced from a cross-linked thermoset polymeric resin containing fibrous filler and a polyurea present from 1 to 5 total weight percent of the article either forms an interpenetrating network between the resin and the polyurea or the resin and polyurea crosslink upon resin thermoset to further strengthen the resulting article. An alkali earth oxide or hydroxide simultaneously thickens through interaction with carboxylate functionality of the cross-linkable resin to provide a superior viscosity build and humidity tolerance.

Abstract: A molding composition formulation includes a thermoset cross-linkable 12 to 45 micron polymeric resin. Hollow glass microspheroids are present from 2 to 12 total weight percent. An article formed from such a composition is further strengthened by the addition of a surface activating agent bonded to the surface of the glass microspheroids. Conventional particulate fillers when added to an inventive formulation provide enhanced performance when the filler particle has a size sufficiently small to insert within adjacent microspheroid interstitial voids. An unsaturated polyester resin so formed is particularly well suited for the formation of sheet molding compound formulations.

Abstract: A molding composition formulation includes a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin. Glass microspheroids are present such that upon cure of the resin the resulting article has a linear shrinkage of less than ±0.06% and a density of less than 1.65. An article formed from such a composition is further strengthened by the addition of a surface activating agent bonded to the surface of the glass microspheroids. Conventional particulate fillers when added to an inventive formulation provide enhanced performance when the filler particle has a size sufficiently small to insert within adjacent microspheroid interstitial voids. An unsaturated polyester resin so formed is particularly well suited for the formation of sheet molding compound formulations.

Abstract: A molding composition is provided that includes a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin, a fibrous filler and a thickener system. The thickener system includes an amine and an isocyanate that are reactive to form a polyurea. The polyurea is operative to thicken the molding composition formulation prior to polymeric resin thermoset with superior properties relative to conventional thickener systems. A molded article produced from a cross-linked thermoset polymeric resin containing fibrous filler and a polyurea present from 1 to 5 total weight percent of the article either forms an interpenetrating network between the resin and the polyurea or the resin and polyurea crosslink upon resin thermoset to further strengthen the resulting article. An alkali earth oxide or hydroxide simultaneously thickens through interaction with carboxylate functionality of the cross-linkable resin to provide a superior viscosity build and humidity tolerance.

Abstract: Sheet molding composition formulation includes a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin. A moisture reducing polymeric additive includes at least one of polystyrene; poly C1-C4 alykylmethacrylate; a copolymer of styrene with at least one of butadiene, acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride; or a combination of polystyrene, polyaklymethacrylate and or a styrene copolymer. Moisture reducing polymeric additive is present within the formulation from between 1 and 20 total weight percent. An article formed from such a sheet molding composition formulation defines an article shape and has a surface that sets the article shape with less than 0.5 total weight percent water after 96 hours exposure and 100° F. 100% humidity. The article shape is amendable to receiving a vapor barrier coating applied to the articles shape surface. A powder prime coating over lies the barrier coating and achieves surface finish results comparable to article shapes formed of steel.

Abstract: A molding composition formulation is provided that includes a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin and an ultraviolet light absorber. A shrinkage-reducing polymeric additive is present in the formulation from between 3 and 30 total weight percent, such that upon cure a linear shrinkage rate of within ±1.0% is obtained. Shrinkage-reducing polymeric additives include a condensation polyester of glycol and a polyacid or acid anhydride, polyvinyl acetate, polymethylmethacrylate, or polyether polyol. A vehicle body component formed through a sheet molding composition formulation is provided as recited above, and includes a fiberglass filler. A process for producing a vehicle body component exposed to ultraviolet light upon environmental exposure of a vehicle includes molding at an elevated temperature above 20° C. the vehicle component from the formulation as detailed above. The process is followed by trimming the molded vehicle component prior to assembly.