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SMC roof differences

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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 11:31 AM
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Default SMC roof differences

Since eventually I assume that we will all get one, I was wondering just what the actual differences are between the SMC roof and the original painted roof. I have seen that it is heavier, but I was wondering what it is made of, is the frame different and why will this top not separate? On the original, I understand that it it was the coefficient of expansion that caused the problem. Why isn't that an issue with the SMC? Also, what does SMC stand for? Just wondering, thanks.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 01:45 PM
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SMC is "sheet molding composite" and I'm not sure there IS a frame under it...Anyone?
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by SDCEB
Since eventually I assume that we will all get one, I was wondering just what the actual differences are between the SMC roof and the original painted roof. I have seen that it is heavier, but I was wondering what it is made of, is the frame different and why will this top not separate? On the original, I understand that it it was the coefficient of expansion that caused the problem. Why isn't that an issue with the SMC? Also, what does SMC stand for? Just wondering, thanks.
An SMC roof is made of well, you guessed it, SMC. Sheet molded composite is the material that the C5 roof is made of. For the C6 the roof material was changed from SMC to a polycarbonate material. This change was designed to be a weight savings of about 3 pounds. The frame is magnesium. The frame will continue to be magnesium. The problem as you indicated is that the frame and the roof panel had a difference of coefficient of thermal expansion that was greater than what the adhesive could overcome. This expansion puts the two materials in shear.

(In physics, shear stress is a stress state in which the shape of a material tends to change (usually by "sliding" forces) without particular volume change. The shape change is evaluated by measuring the relative change in the angle between initially perpendicular sides of a differential element of material (shear strain). A simple definition of shear stress is the components of stress at a point that act parallel to the plane in which they lie.)
Once this happens if the forces are great enough the structural integrity of the adhesive becomes violated and the roof can separate.

Paul

Last edited by talon90; Sep 9, 2006 at 02:15 PM.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 02:47 PM
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I believe your assumption is incorrect.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by talon90
An SMC roof is made of well, you guessed it, SMC. Sheet molded composite is the material that the C5 roof is made of. For the C6 the roof material was changed from SMC to a polycarbonate material. This change was designed to be a weight savings of about 3 pounds. The frame is magnesium. The frame will continue to be magnesium. The problem as you indicated is that the frame and the roof panel had a difference of coefficient of thermal expansion that was greater than what the adhesive could overcome. This expansion puts the two materials in shear.



Once this happens if the forces are great enough the structural integrity of the adhesive becomes violated and the roof can separate.

Paul
Paul, you explained it perfectly, exactly the explaination given at the NCM Labor Day event by Tom Hill. It should be repeated every time this question comes up. (Which is often )

Frank

Last edited by Another Yellow; Sep 9, 2006 at 03:01 PM.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Another Yellow


Paul, you explained it perfectly, exactly the explaination given at the NCM Labor Day event by Tom Hill. It should be repeated every time this question comes up. (Which is often )

Frank


Frank,

How's it going? I figure we can back it up with a little photo proof from Tom's seminar. I spent some time talking with him afterward. He did such a fantastic job. Not to mention. He stayed, on station for about 7 hours that day just to talk to people and address issues and concerns.



All I can say is anyone not attending NCM events are really missing out on the big picture.

Paul
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by C-INRED
I believe your assumption is incorrect.
Which assumption is that?
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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Once this happens if the forces are great enough the structural integrity of the adhesive becomes violated and the roof can separate.

Paul [/QUOTE]

Thanks, I know that there have been a lot of threads about the top, but I wasn't able to find an explanation of just what they were using to replace it. I have an engineer friend who suggested that they could instead use a carbon fiber top and tune it so the the coefficient of expansion is the same as the magnesium alloy frame. Guess that would cost too much.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by SDCEB
Once this happens if the forces are great enough the structural integrity of the adhesive becomes violated and the roof can separate.

Paul
Thanks, I know that there have been a lot of threads about the top, but I wasn't able to find an explanation of just what they were using to replace it. I have an engineer friend who suggested that they could instead use a carbon fiber top and tune it so the the coefficient of expansion is the same as the magnesium alloy frame. Guess that would cost too much.[/QUOTE]

My pleasure

Tell your friend he's right. That would be a perfect roof but it would probably cost $4,000 or more dollars.
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Old Sep 9, 2006 | 06:27 PM
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My pleasure

Tell your friend he's right. That would be a perfect roof but it would probably cost $4,000 or more dollars. [/QUOTE]

Cost is of no concern to him, it is all about meeting an engineering objective!
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