Sika Automotive Reduces Vehicle Door Noise, Optimizes Performance with SikaDamp(R) 630

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., March 11 -- Since its introduction less than a year ago, SikaDamp(R) 630 has yielded significant reductions in weight and cost, while providing considerable increase in performance. SikaDamp(R) 630 is a lightweight damper that offers a notable improvement in acoustic performance over traditional damping products such as asphalt melt sheets and competitive constraint layer dampers. Door damper applications for door slam noise, handle snap-back noise and door stiffness in recent vehicle design projects have yielded 15-22% improvement in noise reduction.

"When a customer supplies us with a door, vehicle or metal surface, we can treat the noise, improve the performance and lower the cost," said Mitch Buback Senior, Marketing Field Manager. "SikaDamp(R) 630 is clearly the 'best in class' damper available for automakers."

Recent vehicle design projects using SikaDamp(R) 630 have yielded a 41% weight reduction and a 15% cost reduction by optimizing the materials size and location. Optimization and validation tests are performed at Sika Automotive's Acoustic Test Facility (ATF) in Madison Heights, Michigan. SikaDamp(R) 630 is compatible in body, paint and trim shop applications. It adheres to oily, e-coated or painted metal and stands up to multiple bake cycles without degrading the adhesion or damper performance.

Sika Automotive, based in Madison Heights, MI, a division of Sika Corporation, is an industry leader in the development and production of high performance acoustic, bonding, reinforcing and sealing systems. Sika Automotive provides automobile manufacturers with proven material, application engineering and validation expertise to improve interior sound quality and structural performance in vehicles worldwide. Sika Automotive optimizes cost effective, complete solutions in its dedicated, state of the art, Acoustic Test Facility, located in Madison Heights, MI. Visit the Sika Automotive website www.sika-automotive.com .

Sika Corporation is a leading supplier of specialty chemical products and industrial materials serving construction and industrial markets including transportation, marine, and automotive. Sika Corporation is a subsidiary of Sika AG, Baar, Switzerland. Sika has annual sales of approximately US$1.5 billion (CHF 2.2 billion), over 8000 employees and operations in more than 60 countries. Visit the Sika website at www.sika.com .