AOC resins support SMC composite doors for air raid shelters

AOC (Schaffhausen, Switzerland) resins have been adopted by Guangxi Nanning Duning Ventilation and Protection Equipment Co., Ltd. (Anhui, China) for the manufacture of sheet molding compound (SMC) composite doors for an air raid shelter in Nanning City.

With the rapid development of modern urban construction, air raid shelter development remains an important aspect of safety. The use of SMC for these types of applications is still in a recognition and acceptance phase, AOC explains, providing both challenges and opportunities. Consequently, the company has been in discussion with one of its clients, Nanning Duning Co., in an effort to solve SMC’s compatibility with traditional materials, process feasibility, cost (SMC is still relatively high cost) and other key issues. And above all are the the adjustments and opportunities that AOC and its clients face together. How to carry out effective marketing, and achieve a range of successful application cases to build attention, are key to this project’s success. 

Guangxi Nanning is one such application case, applying SMC composite doors for a protection facility in a commercial underground garage in Nanning City. Through technical communication and on-site exchange with the client, AOC’s sales and technical team recommended the AOC Palapreg series, a high-performance resin, to make the SMC sheets through a large press. AOC says its team ensured the project was implemented smoothly, and that the doors were produced so as to meet the requirements of China’s air raid defense projects.

The SMC resin provides optimal mechanical properties — weather resistance, corrosion resistance and other characteristics. For example, the final SMC doors present a certain resistance to acid, alkali and other chemicals, and will not rust or rot in the basement humid environment all year round, with a service life of more than 50 years. The doors’ light weight — weight is reduced by more than 40% compared to the same specifications for metal doors used in air raid shelters — make them easy to install and operate, and the doors’ strength have been proven to be fully up to standard via an anti-explosion test. Additional advantages include good sound insulation, flame retardancy, moisture-proof and a highly aesthetic appearance.

The client’s recognition and support of AOC’s products has inspired the AOC team to progress and innovate its offerings. Guangxi Nanning and AOC plan to jointly continues technical R&D.