Fiberglass or plastic???

[kingman]

HI

I was reading a book devoted to corvettes and it mentioned that the C5 body was made from a new kind of plastic that is lighter and stronger then fiberglass.

This stood out in my gray matter becasue somebody mentioned that the hood of the C5 feels lighter then the C4 hood.

Also the C5 was cheaper and easier to fix then a C4 because the fenders of a C5 are bolted on.

Strange but true!

Alan

 

['04 Torch Red]

HI

I was reading a book devoted to corvettes and it mentioned that the C5 body was made from a new kind of plastic that is lighter and stronger then fiberglass.

This stood out in my gray matter becasue somebody mentioned that the hood of the C5 feels lighter then the C4 hood.

Also the C5 was cheaper and easier to fix then a C4 because the fenders of a C5 are bolted on.

Strange but true!

Alan

A C4 clamshell hood has 4 times the amount of material because it is so much bigger(its the hood and fenders in one piece) than the C5..thats probably why it is heavier...

 

[JnJ]

You can read about it here;
http://www.gm.com/company/careers/career_paths/rnd/prj_sheet_molding.html

 

[warren s]

The panels (fenders & quarters) on the C5 are thinner than on the C4, but reported to be stronger and have more (though still slight) ability to flex than the C4 panels.

 

[bluecoupe]

The C5 is made of a sheet molded composite.
SMC is also called Dbl-Lite.
Read these:

http://www.sae.org/automag/techbriefs_10-00/08.htm

http://www.gm.com/company/careers/career_paths/rnd/prj_sheet_molding.html

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c5/smc.html

 

[KOPBET]

Corvette's body has been made almost entirely of SMC since 1972. SMC has had some revisions here and there but it's still SMC.

 

[corvettecrazy]

So if SMC considered fiberglass?

 

[KOPBET]

So if SMC considered fiberglass?

I suppose it depends on who you ask. SMC is a polyester based, fiberglass reinforced composite material produced in a sheet format and formed into shapes using compression molding. Smooth on both sides and uses no gel-coat.

 

[bluecoupe]

Yet another article (My head is spinning):

http://www.compositesworld.com/sb/ov-hivolmold

PS
Since 1972? That is amazing.

"Wrap you ass in sheet molded composite". It just doesn't have the same ring to it.