PREFORMS PAVE THE WAY FOR LOWER-COST STRUCTURALS.

After several decades in the shadows, fiber glass preforms are once again becoming a factor in reinforced plastics. The action in structural parts is mostly in automotive, but once the technology is developed, similar applications will start to emerge in recreational and agricultural vehicles, industrial equipment, and large appliances. With the advent of highspeed reactive polymers that produce Class A surfaces, moreover, these two low-pressure processes may edge into production volumes that have traditionally been SMC's turf. The combination of faster chemistry, new low-profile polymers, plus the growing demand for parts for low-volume niche vehicles, will begin pulling molders of conventional RIM parts into the arena structurals and semi-structurals.