Abstract
An unsaturated polyester bulk molding compound is made containing unsaturated polyester sheet molding compound-recyclate added as reinforcement. Grinding techniques are used to obtain the sheet molding compound-recyclate. The flexural strength and modulus of bulk molding compounds containing 0 and 100% recyclate used as the reinforcing material are compared. In both cases the flexural strength and modulus are found to be reduced. Micrographs of the recyclate-reinforced bulk molding compound fracture area show cracks that initiate and propagate along the recyclate-new resin matrix interface. The poor interfacial bonding is the major reason for the loss in the strength and modulus values.