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Abstract

A molding composition is provided that includes a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin, a fibrous filler and a thickener system. The thickener system includes an amine and an isocyanate that are reactive to form a polyurea. The polyurea is operative to thicken the molding composition formulation prior to polymeric resin thermoset with superior properties relative to conventional thickener systems. A molded article produced from a cross-linked thermoset polymeric resin containing fibrous filler and a polyurea present from 0.05 to 15 total weight percent of the article either forms an interpenetrating network between the resin and the polyurea or the resin and polyurea crosslink upon resin thermoset to further strengthen the resulting article. A process for thickening a molding compound includes adding a quantity of an isocyanate having an isocyanate group equivalent number and a quantity of an amine having an amine equivalent group number such that the isocyanate equivalent group number:amine equivalent group number ratio is between 10:1 and 1:10 to a molding composition formulation that contains a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin and a fibrous filler. A period of time is provided to allow the amine and isocyanate to react to form a polyurea prior to cross-linking of the thermoset cross-linkable resin.

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