Johns Manville MultiStar ® 272 - Your Key to Achieving Class A Surface Quality in Automotive Applications

As the automotive industry continues to demand higher performance, reduced weight, and flawless surface finishes, compounders are facing increasing pressure to deliver materials that meet these exact standards. Achieving Class A surface quality is no longer just a target; many times, it’s a requirement. But the path to that perfect finish is often riddled with challenges - from inconsistencies in material performance to difficulties in process optimization. That’s where MultiStar 272 comes in. 

The Challenge: Meeting Class A Standards with Confidence 

For compounders, one of the most significant challenges lies in consistently producing Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC) that meet the stringent Class A surface quality standards required by automotive OEMs. The factors at play are numerous: the right balance of raw materials, optimal wet-out, efficient chopping, and minimizing fuzz during the compounding process. Even a small deviation can lead to imperfections that result in costly rework or, worse, rejection by the OEMs. 

These challenges are well understood. In the European market, where we have been a supplier to major compounders and ultimately also to automotive manufacturers for years, our customers have relied on MultiStar 272 to deliver the consistency, quality, and performance needed to achieve Class A finishes.   

Our Solution: MultiStar® 272 - Proven Performance in Every Strand 

MultiStar 272 is not just another assembled roving - it’s a solution engineered to help you overcome the challenges in SMC production. Here’s how: 

Exceptional Wet-Out: One of the critical factors in achieving Class A surface quality is ensuring that the glass fibers are thoroughly wetted out by the resin. MultiStar 272 excels in this area, offering outstanding wet-out properties that result in a uniform, high-quality SMC sheet, ready for molding. 

Optimized Chopping Performance: Poor chopping can lead to inconsistent fiber lengths and distribution, causing defects in the final product. MultiStar 272 is designed for excellent chopping performance, ensuring consistent fiber length and even distribution, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the SMC and achieving a smooth, defect-free surface. 

Low Fuzz and Improved Molding Properties: Fuzz formation during processing can create surface imperfections, leading to additional finishing work. MultiStar 272 minimizes fuzz, reducing the need for rework and enabling a more efficient molding process that consistently delivers Class A surfaces. 

Compatibility with Various Resins: MultiStar 272 is compatible with a wide range of UP-resins available in the market. This flexibility allows compounders to tailor their SMC formulations without worrying about compromising surface quality. 

JM - Your Trusted Partner for Success 

In Europe, our customers know that when they choose MultiStar 272, they’re not only choosing a product, but they’re also choosing a partner. We work closely with compounders to ensure that our materials integrate seamlessly into their processes, offering technical support and R&D collaboration to achieve optimal results. Now, we’re offering that same commitment to the US market. 

As you prepare for the challenges ahead in the automotive industry, MultiStar 272 can be the solution you can rely on to deliver the Class A surface quality your customers’ demand. Whether you’re producing components for automobiles, trucks, or other applications requiring flawless finishes, like electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, our multi-end roving will help you meet and exceed industry standards. 

MultiStar® 272: Now Available in the US

We’re excited to have introduced MultiStar® 272 to the US market at CAMX 2024, where it received great interest from compounders looking to achieve Class A surface quality in their SMC applications. Although the show has ended, our commitment to delivering top-tier solutions continues. MultiStar® 272 is now available across the US, and our team is ready to support you with technical expertise and product solutions that will elevate your composite materials and streamline your production process.

Contact us today to learn more about how MultiStar® 272 can make a difference in your next project.