Abstract
Composite materials, known for their high strength, insulation, and corrosion-resistant properties, are widely used in industries such as automotive, oil and gas, transportation, and aerospace. To meet the demands for these properties, thermoset bulk molding compounds (BMC) are commonly used to produce fiber-reinforced parts. This thesis investigates a composite material made of random-oriented glass-filled polyester resin. Experimental samples were created with knit lines and fiber alignment patterns to be observed under microscopy. Tensile testing was performed to observe the fiber alignment and defects hidden in the material. The ultimate tensile strength was calculated by capturing the maximum force applied to the specimens and comparing the correlation between samples with and without knit lines. The investigation found that knit lines compromised the integrity of the part by introducing localized defects. However, the chopped random fiber BMC could potentially become aligned during precharge placement, creating a zone in which the specimen would fail. These findings provide insights into the complexities of BMC composite manufacturing and can aid in the development of better control methods to ensure the quality and consistency of the final product.