Thinsulate(TM) Acoustic Insulation Offers the First Line of High Performance Insulation Designed for a Range of Automotive Applications
24 May 1999
Thinsulate(TM) Acoustic Insulation Offers the First Line of High Performance Insulation Designed for a Range of Automotive Applications
ST. PAUL, Minn., May 24 -- The next generation of Thinsulate
Acoustic Insulation products was introduced last week at The Society of
Automotive Engineers' Noise and Vibration Conference and Exposition held in
Traverse City, Michigan. This new product line is specifically engineered for
automotive applications. The insulation material provides a higher level of
performance for OEM platform teams, including designers and NVH engineers,
seeking to develop quieter, more comfortable vehicles without incurring
increased weight or cost.
The specific benefits of Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation for use in
automotive applications such as headliners, wheelwells, door panels, door
pillars, instrument panels, trunks, and more include:
* Superior sound absorption
* Greatly reduced weight when compared to insulation of comparable
acoustic performance
* Easy formability, processing and installation
* Compatibility with other materials to produce a combination sound
absorber/barrier, sound absorber/water shield, etc.
* Greater design freedom for engineers and designers, now able to specify
designs and applications that would otherwise be too costly
Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation utilizes 3M's advanced microfiber
technology and is composed of polyester and polyolefin. Polyester fibers
provide loft and resilience while polyolefin fibers provide superior sound
absorption. In addition, these fibers offer thermal insulation and are
hydrophobic as well. The non-woven fibers that make up Thinsulate Acoustic
Insulation create "a tortuous path" for noise and dissipate acoustic energy by
converting it into thermal energy.
To enhance its structural integrity the insulation comes with an attached
scrim, which enables it to be easily die-cut, edge sealed and affixed to meet
a variety of design and manufacturing specifications. Precision 3M microfiber
manufacturing methods, plus exacting quality assurance standards produce
product performance which is consistent from lot to lot.
Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation is engineered to address one of the
greatest challenges faced by automotive designers and engineers: how to create
and manufacture innovative vehicle designs without adding weight. Because
added insulation weight can jeopardize the handling, comfort and aesthetics,
not to mention CAFE compliance, of the most advanced platforms, the auto
industry is actively seeking weight-saving solutions. When compared to
insulation of comparable acoustic performance, Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation
is nearly half the weight of its nearest competitor, making it the lightest
acoustic insulation available.
Another on-going concern of automotive designers and engineers is the bulk
and difficulty in handling some acoustic insulation materials. Thinsulate
Acoustic Insulation poses no handling risks and requires no special safety
equipment.
In terms of performance, Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation has one of the
highest noise reduction coefficient ratings, by weight, in the industry.
Independent tests show it helps improve speech intelligibility under various
combinations of throttle settings, engine speeds and road surface conditions.
Thinsulate Acoustic Insulation is available in four specifications. This
range of cost/performance options gives NVH experts the ability to specify
these high performance insulations for many different applications on a single
platform.
3M acoustics experts are a critical link in matching Thinsulate Acoustic
Insulation to customer needs. Working in partnership with platform teams, 3M
application engineers can provide expert advice regarding optimal insulation
weight, placement and other parameters for individual applications.
For over 20 years the Thinsulate(TM) brand has been synonymous with
comfort. In the apparel and outdoor industries consumers trust the brand and
are familiar with its value. Now the automotive industry is benefiting from
the added value, comfort and quality associated with the Thinsulate brand.