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In automotive applications, damping materials are generally adhered to metal panels in order to control vibration at resonant frequency. For decades, pre-manufactured sheet damping products provided robust solutions to improve vehicle acoustics. Today, some OEMs are experimenting with spray-on approach utilizing recent advances in robotic systems and certain progress in materials research. In this paper, the merits of sheet damping vs. sprayable technologies are reviewed. The emphasis is made on the development of new materials with enhanced damping performance, new and multi-functional damping applications, enhanced design approaches, and opportunities that sheet dampers offer when compared to the alternatives.

Fiber-bonded insulators are reclaimed textile fibers bonded with phenolic resins. These have been used in automobile interiors and under-hood applications for a considerable time. Odor issues can result with the conventional phenolic-resin bonded molded insulators under improper process conditions. Under improper process conditions conventional phenolic resins can result in the formation of trimethylamine and other amines, which can form objectionable odor in the automobile interior. This paper highlights the process and product development for new low-odor phenolic-resin molded insulator. The materials are characterized by odor performance, mechanical properties and acoustical behavior. The odor issues associated with the phenolic-resin molded insulators have been shown to be eliminated.

Rear parcel shelf constitutes to the vehicle sound absorption for a typical vehicle. Further the multifunctionality, support characteristics, weight and recyclability considerations are playing an increasing role in the substrate selection for the rear parcel shelf applications. This paper studies and benchmarks the various substrates for the rear parcel shelf. The typical substrates analyzed included resin-bonded recycled fibers, wood fiber, LD-SRIM and polypropylene thermoplastic. The substrates are characterized for mechanical, dimensional stability and acoustical behavior. Long term dimensional stability is analyzed based on time-temperature superposition. Current process manufacturing techniques for the various substrates are reviewed. Attempt is made to develop hierarchy of recyclability for various substrates.