Mar-Bal expands SMC expertise through AltraSet materials division

Expanding upon one of its core competencies, Mar-Bal Inc. (Chagrin Falls, Ohio, U.S.) has added sheet molding compound (SMC) to be sold commercially through its existing materials division, AltraSet Composite Technologies. Built on the legacy of Mar-Bal’s 40-plus years of experience developing composite materials for its customers, AltraSet officially launched in 2018 in response to the growing needs of customers and market opportunities.

This addition enhances the company’s industry commitment to bridge a gap for customers seeking lower volume (up to 10K-pound) product orders, with short lead times and materials for custom formulations to meet specific application requirements. Mar-Bal says that the development of its SMC business is akin to its bulk molding compound (BMC) growth origins in the 1970s, which started with small orders that larger entities didn’t want and built from there. 

This “next-level’ of essential SMC formulation and material development includes (but is not limited to): glass fiber, glass mats, polyesters, vinyl esters, hybrids and epoxies.

At the forefront of filling the gap for smaller volume-run SMC order demands is a newly acquired Schmidt & Heinzmann GmbH & Co. KG (Bruchsal, Southwest Germany) SMC and prepreg machine. This machine comes equipped with a multicomponent pumping, dosing and mixing (PDM) system, enabling a precise combination of thickener or hardener with the pre-mixed resin paste, which Mar-Bal says is essential in the production of consistent, high-quality SMC material. Capable of producing high glass structural composites, the Schmidt & Heinzmann machine is fully automated, holds tolerances well and is adept at performing small runs of different sizes up to 24-48-inch widths.

Complimenting the acquired system is Mar-Bal’s R&D/Mechanical Lab that provides full testing capabilities associated with SMC requirements including (but not limited to): Thermal analysis, ASTM and ISO testing methods, UL flame testing, mechanical testing and electrical testing.

According to Casey Blabolil, Mar-Bal’s director of technology, “Our new SMC system is positioned to produce high glass structural composites for lower volume demands. We are now custom formulating, producing and selling SMC commercially in the U.S. In fact, many of our existing BMC customers are beginning to take advantage of our SMC offerings to assist them with meeting their production needs.”

Through forward-thinking, growth and automation, Mar-Bal has continued to establish itself as a one-source solutions provider within the composites industry. Its growing and expansive materials portfolio, combined with vertical integration, enables customers to partner with Mar-Bal from concept to completion. Mar-Bal also owns a proprietary portfolio of BMC materials, molded insulators, detectable warning systems, fire-resistant wastebaskets and can provide custom molding solutions to customers.