COLUMBUS, Ohio — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 13, 2017 — Hexion Inc. (“Hexion” or the “Company”) will introduce a new specialty epoxy resin system for styrene-free, sheet molding compound (SMC) manufacturing of high-performance automotive composites, at the JEC World 2017 composites event in Paris.
The new offering - EPIKOTETM Resin TRAC 06605/EPIKURETM Curing Agent TRAC 06608 - can be used to produce lightweight semi-structural and structural automotive composite parts, such as floors, electrical vehicle battery enclosures, spare wheel tubs, seat structures, hood inners and more. Hexion’s SMC epoxy system, when combined with glass and carbon fibers, results in parts with superior mechanical properties to those made with standard unsaturated polyester (UP) or vinyl ester (VE) SMC resin systems.
Hexion’s epoxy SMC system also emits fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) according to VDA 278 than either standard or low VOC vinyl esters, with emissions well below international exposure limits. The VDA 278 recommendation governs organic emissions for molded compounds in automobiles. Because Hexion’s epoxy SMC system is styrene-free, there is no need to track worker styrene exposure to comply with European workplace standard. The new epoxy system’s compatibility with equipment used for other types of SMC (UP and VE) means additional capital investment is often unnecessary.
"This new specialty epoxy product line will help our customers manufacture high performance composite parts via high-volume SMC production with reduced scrap and relatively low labor costs,” said Francis Defoor, Global Market Segment Leader Transportation, Hexion. “It complements our full range of products for compression molding, including resin transfer molding (RTM), liquid compression molding (LCM), and prepreg molding.”
The new epoxy SMC product is supplied as an easy-to-handle resin-plus-hardener system with optional mold release agent. Customers have ready access to Hexion’s comprehensive technical assistance. For more information, please consult Hexion—Hall 6, Booth G54—during the JEC World 2017 International Composites Event in Paris, March 14-16, or visit hexion.com/automotive or hexion.com/contacts.
About the Company
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Inc. is a global leader in thermoset resins. Hexion Inc. serves the global wood and industrial markets through a broad range of thermoset technologies, specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries. Hexion Inc. is controlled by investment funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC. Additional information about Hexion Inc. and its products is available at www.hexion.com.
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