PRODUCT INFORMATIONM723A CHOPPED STRAND MAT

M723A – Now Better Than Ever.As the composites industry rapidly evolves, there is increaseddemand on manufacturers for improved part quality, moreconsistent part weight, reduced waste, increased efficiencyand reduced cost. To help fabricators meet these challenges,Owens Corning focused its Science & Technology, Engineering,and Production resources to redesign the chopped strandmat process. Using such methodologies as Design ofExperiments, Fitness-For-Use and Six Sigma, and in collaborationwith leading customers, Owens Corning has taken its worldclass mat product and made it even better.

What’s New?• We’ve re-designed critical manufacturing elements to

improve reliability and enable our processes to meet therigorous consistency requirements of today’s demandingmarkets.

• Extensive trials, including air flow analysis and small scaledistribution measurements, have led to improvements inthe glass feeding and chopping process. The result is moreuniform control plus a more robust and stable operation. This means better product consistency for our customers.

• Major capital investment in state of the art on-line sensingequipment gives continuous feedback on mat weightdistribution.

• Newly deployed, custom designed software tracks labelingand production, providing enhanced trace-ability andrepeatable, optimized set ups.

• Continuous inspection by a recently installed vision system,provides feedback with 100% coverage of the mat duringproduction and, combined with image analysis software,has the capability to detect abnormalities that can affectperformance or lead to finished part variation.

• M723A is now softer, easier to feather, and conform tomold shapes and, since M723A uses significantly less binderthan most competitive products, you get more of what’simportant to you for performance – glass.

Actual image of matcaptured from on-linevision inspectionsystem – able to detectabnormalities as smallas 1/8"

3-D map of weight distribution generated by on-linescanner and used to make process adjustments.

INNOVATIONS FOR LIVING™

This information and data contained herein is offered solely as a guide in the selection of a reinforcement. The information contained in this publication is based on actual laboratorydata and field test experience. We believe this information to be reliable, but do not guarantee its applicability to the user's process or assume any responsibility or liabilityarising out of its use or performance. The user agrees to be responsible for thoroughly testing any application to determine it suitability before committing to production. It isimportant for the user to determine the properties of its own commercial compounds when using this or any other reinforcement. Because of numerous factors affecting results,we make no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Statements in this data sheet shall not be construedas representations or warranties or as inducements to infringe any patent or violate any law, safety code or insurance regulation.

THE PINK PANTHER™ & © 1964-2004 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All rights reserved. The color PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning.Pub No. 22924-A May 2004 Copyright © 2004 Owens Corning Produced by maes communications nv.

COMPOSITE SOLUTIONS

OWENS CORNINGWORLD HEADQUARTERSONE OWENS CORNING PARKWAYTOLEDO, OHIO 436591.800.GET.PINKwww.owenscorning.com/composites

OWENS CORNING LATIN AMERICAAV. DAS NAÇÕES UNIDAS, 17.891-30. AND.CEP – 04795-100SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL55.11.5514.7900

EUROPEAN OWENS CORNINGFIBERGLAS S.A.CHAUSSÉE DE LA HULPE, 166B-1170 BRUSSELSBELGIUM32.2.674.82.11

OWENS CORNING ASIA/PACIFICHANOI BUILDING 3F1-2-9 SHIKAKOEN, MINATO-KUTOKYO, 105-0011 – JAPAN81.3.5733.1671

We’ve Kept The Excellent Features Customers Have Come To Expect From M723A• M723A retains the same excellent dry handling characteristics that provide consistent

unrolling, part/kit cutting and manipulation in the molding area. Consistent dry tensilestrength along with tight surfaces and minimal fiber shedding during handling improvesworker efficiencies, comfort and shop cleanliness.

• Superior wet tensile strength makes M723A ideal for pre-wetting processes and allowseasier placement and adjustment in the mold.

• The exceptional roll density of M723A permits more yards of mat per roll, resulting in fewerroll changes and reduced handling. The density and uniform alignment of the rolls makesthe product ideal for slitting.

• You’ll get the same superior mechanical properties and resin compatibility as before. M723Ais the preferred chopped strand mat product in premium resins and where the highest levelof physical strength is required.

• M723A continues to be produced with Owens Corning’s unique Advantex® glass formulationthat provides higher levels of corrosion resistance compared to E-glass products. Advantexalso qualifies as an E-glass per ASTM D578.

• M723A is also certified by Lloyd’s Register, Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloydsto meet their rigid quality standards.

Mechanical Property Comparisons (ASTM methods, results normalized to 33% glass content)

M723A CHOPPED STRAND MAT

Variation in weight distributionhas been reduced significantly.

Weight Distribution Improvement

33% reductionin variation

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