Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: An automotive assembly comprises a sheet molding composite (SMC) element comprising an SMC sheet body shaped into a generally smooth functional section and at least one generally planar bonding section. The bonding section comprises a textured surface impressed as a result of molding the SMC sheet body in a compression molding tool having a corresponding textured pattern. The textured surface has a predetermined surface roughness for increasing the effective surface area of the bonding section relative to a non-textured surface. The predetermined surface roughness is in a range from 0.25 Ra (?m) to 8.5 Ra (?m). A second element has a secondary bonding surface adjoining the bonding section of the SMC element. An adhesive joins the secondary bonding surface to the bonding section without requiring any pre-treatment of the bonding section.

Abstract: A creep testing fixture and method for applying a precise amount of constant tensile stress to a creep test specimen to allow for precise measurement of creep in the test specimen. The fixture includes first and second mounting grips for holding opposite ends of a test specimen. A frame supports the mounting grips for relative reciprocal movement toward and away from each other. A tensile spring is connected between the first and second mounting grips. The frame subjects a test specimen held between the mounting grips to tensile stress in response to axially inward force that the tensile spring applies to the frame.

Abstract: A creep testing fixture and method for applying a precise amount of constant tensile stress to a creep test specimen to allow for precise measurement of creep in the test specimen. The fixture includes first and second mounting grips for holding opposite ends of a test specimen. A frame supports the mounting grips for relative reciprocal movement toward and away from each other. A tensile spring is connected between the first and second mounting grips. The frame subjects a test specimen held between the mounting grips to tensile stress in response to axially inward force that the tensile spring applies to the mounting grips.

Abstract: A tensile test fixture for applying constant tensile forces to a tensile test specimen comprises two mounting grips, each mounted to one of two lever arms in a pivoted lever arm frame structure. One end of each lever arm is pivotally attached to a compression column while the other end of each lever arm is attached to one end of a force-applying assembly. The mounting grips are pivotally attached to their respective lever arms between the compression column and the force-applying assembly and are designed to hold opposite ends of a tensile test specimen. The force-applying assembly comprises stress and strain modules that are interchangeably installable into the force-applying assembly to selectively subject tensile test specimens to constant strain and constant stress.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced article having an integrally molded heat shield is produced using a liquid resin injection molding technique. One or more layers of heat shielding material are placed adjacent a preform. The preform contains a non-porous inner core and a porous fibrous mat exterior surface. The core is either a foam core, blow-molded core or a metal reinforced core. The heat shielding material is at least partially porous and includes a heat insulating material and/or a heat reflecting material. The heat shield also contains a layer of nonporous insulating material designed to prevent liquid resin from passing therethrough. The preform and heat shielding material are placed in a mold and resin is injected into the mold to impregnate the fibrous mat and partially impregnate the heat shielding material so that the heat shielding material is integrally molded to the product.

Abstract: A molded article comprising a molded body and one or more llayers of heat shielding material attached to the molded body and a method of making same. The heat shielding material is placed on localized areas of the molded articles which are exposed to elevated temperatures. The molded article may be a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) which comprises a fibrous material containing a resin or alternatively, the molded article may be a thermoplastic material with or without reinforcement.