What is SMC Panel Water Tank?
SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) is an industrial composite molding process.
In this process, pre-mixed fiberglass-reinforced resin is formed into sheets and compression-molded under high temperature and high pressure to produce water tank panels with consistent thickness, integrated flanges, and stable mechanical performance.
The resulting panels are classified as GRP/FRP materials, while SMC defines the manufacturing method rather than the material itself.SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) is an industrial composite molding process.
In this process, pre-mixed fiberglass-reinforced resin is formed into sheets and compression-molded under high temperature and high pressure to produce water tank panels with consistent thickness, integrated flanges, and stable mechanical performance.
The resulting panels are classified as GRP/FRP materials, while SMC defines the manufacturing method rather than the material itself.
Step One:Making the SMC raw materials
Step two:Curing the SMC materials
Step three:Mold-pressed SMC mateials
Step four:Get the panel used for assembling the water tank
GRP / FRP Water Tank Panel – Manufacturing Process Comparison
GRP / FRP water tank panels are manufactured using glass fiber reinforcement combined with thermoset resins, fillers, and additives, with gelcoat surface layers applied for hygiene and durability, forming a high-strength composite material suitable for water storage applications.
Comparison of Compression-Molded (SMC) Panels and Hand Lay-Up Panels
| Item | Compression-Molded GRP / FRP Panel (SMC) | Hand Lay-Up GRP / FRP Panel |
|---|---|---|
| Resin type | Unsaturated polyester resin / vinyl ester resin (pre-mixed) | Unsaturated polyester resin / vinyl ester resin (on-site mixing) |
| Glass fiber form | Chopped strand glass fiber | Chopped strand mat (CSM), woven roving |
| Fiber distribution | Mechanically controlled, uniform | Manually controlled, operator-dependent |
| Fillers | Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and mineral fillers | Minimal or none |
| Additives system | LPA, thickening agents, curing agents, release agents (standardized) | Curing agents and accelerators (manual addition) |
| Surface layer | Gelcoat molded in-tool with consistent thickness | Gelcoat manually applied |
| Forming method | High-temperature, high-pressure compression molding | Ambient-temperature manual lay-up and curing |
| Thickness consistency | High and stable | Variable |
| Structural integration | Flanges and stiffening ribs molded integrally | Reinforcement added manually |
| Batch consistency | Excellent | Variable |
| Labor dependency | Low | High |
| Typical application | Modular sectional panel water tanks | Small or non-standard custom tanks |
| Industry trend | Mainstream for modern panel tanks | Gradually declining |
Conclusion（SMC water tank =FRP Water Tank = GRP Water Tank)
SMC refers to a molding and manufacturing process, in which fiberglass, resin, fillers, and additives are pre-mixed into sheet form and compression molded under high temperature and pressure to produce composite panels with consistent thickness and stable quality. GRP / FRP (Glass/Fiber Reinforced Plastic), on the other hand, describes the material itself—a composite made of fibers embedded in a polymer resin matrix. Regardless of the production method used, panels made from fiberglass-reinforced resin are classified as GRP/FRP, while SMC defines how those panels are manufactured.
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