Volume 139, Issue 42 e53026
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Improvement of structural vibration damping performance of SMCs through SMC/TPE sandwich structures

Kepa Zulueta

Corresponding Author

Kepa Zulueta

Polymers Technology, Leartiker S. Coop, Markina-Xemein, Spain

Correspondence

Kepa Zulueta, Polymers Technology, Leartiker S. Coop, Xemein Etorbidea, 12-A, Markina-Xemein E-48270, Spain.

Email: [email protected]

Contribution: Conceptualization (equal), ​Investigation (equal), Writing - original draft (lead)

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Aizeti Burgoa

Aizeti Burgoa

Polymers Technology, Leartiker S. Coop, Markina-Xemein, Spain

Contribution: Conceptualization (equal), ​Investigation (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)

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Blanca Lekube

Blanca Lekube

Polymers Technology, Leartiker S. Coop, Markina-Xemein, Spain

Contribution: Conceptualization (equal), ​Investigation (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)

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Jose Luis Vilas

Jose Luis Vilas

Macromolecular Chemistry Research Group (Labquimac), Department of Physical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain

Contribution: Supervision (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)

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Alex Arrillaga

Alex Arrillaga

Polymers Technology, Leartiker S. Coop, Markina-Xemein, Spain

Contribution: Supervision (equal), Writing - review & editing (supporting)

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First published: 15 August 2022
Citations: 1

Funding information: Provincial Government of Bizkaia

Abstract

Sheet molding compounds (SMCs) are interesting materials for the hybrid and electric vehicle (HEV) industry due to their high stiffness-weight ratio, ease of processing, and competitive costs. Nevertheless, HEV industry demands advanced requirements such as enhanced vibration damping capabilities and thermal fatigue resistance. In this regard, the high stiffness of SMCs usually involves poor damping capacity, so improving the vibration damping behavior on SMCs proves to be a growing research line. The hybridization of SMCs with thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), by means of free-layer damping structures, has been confirmed as an effective way to enhance the damping properties of SMCs, but these structures lack the sufficient temperature resistance for certain applications. In this work, the hybridization of epoxy-based carbon fiber SMC with TPE by sandwich structures has been studied as an innovative strategy to address the enhancement of the vibration damping capacities of SMCs and assure their usage on temperature applications. The mechanical properties, vibration damping performance, and influence of temperature of the sandwich structures has been analyzed by quasi-static 3-point bending tests and dynamic mechanical analysis. Experimental tests show the capability of hybrid sandwich structures to boost the vibration damping efficiency of SMCs while keeping their suitability for structural applications.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

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