Effect of Molding Condition on Waviness Profile of GFRP Composites in Compression Molding

During compression molding of glass fiber reinforced plastic composites, annealing and quenching experiment is conducted by changing pre-heating and cooling method. As results, major cause of unevenness that affects waviness profile (winding) is the shrinkage of matrix during holding and cooling process. Waviness profile of the surface on molding in glass fiber reinforced plastic composites will be lower when holding pressure load is higher, mold temperature is lower during demolding, and cooling rate is slower. In addition, surface roughness of moldings is depending on holding pressure load compared with mold temperature. According to molding condition of glass fiber reinforced plastic composites, waviness profile of surface can be quantitatively estimated using the proposed equation.