Thermoplastic foil coatings for polyester SMC

The work reported in this thesis is concerned with investigations into the technical feasibility of using thermoplastic films, or foils as integral, non-porous, in-mould coatings for articles manufactured from polyester Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC). Circular flat plaques were moulded with three SMCs, including one which did not contain zinc stearate, and nine thermoplastic foils including polycarbonate, a polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate blend, and Nylon 6.6. All the moulded plaques had some bubbles and blisters on their coated surfaces but the number and distribution of these varied according to the choice of SMC and thermoplastic. [Continues.]