Characterization and Evaluation of Sheet Molding Compound Roof Tiles

The characteristics of sheet molding compound (SMC) roof tiles are: lightness, high strength, high stiffness, and corrosion resistance. This paper describes a trial production of SMC roof tiles in a composite manufacturing industry in Tangerang, Indonesia. The SMC roof tiles samples were then characterized and evaluated to determine the mechanical properties of the material and the performance of the roof structure. Mechanical properties of the material, i.e. the tensile strength and the elastic modulus, were obtained from the tensile test. Evaluation of the SMC roof tiles as a roof structure was carried out by static loads testing of the roof structure model. The tensile test according to ASTM D638: 2003 shows that the tensile strength and the elastic modulus of the SMC material are 30 ± 3 MPa and 10 ± 1 GPa, respectively. Failure of the SMC roof tiles as a roof structure when loaded by static load of cylindrical steel loads due to crack occurred at 94 kgs load.