Disturbing noises such as the high-frequency sounds of e-motors and other electric devices, or the whining noise of the gearbox, are posing new acoustic challenges for vehicle manufacturers worldwide.

Anticipating the increasing demand for sound-reducing components in both the front and the rear of e-cars early on, Autoneum has expanded its well-established technologies for noise protection in the engine bay to new tailor-made applications for electric vehicles.

With its Hybrid-Acoustics PET fibre technology and the two foam alternatives – Hybrid-Acoustics Flex and Fit Flex – the company offers standardised technologies that reduce noise directly at the source, improving driver comfort. All three technologies are produced waste-free and their adaptive capacity to different sizes and shapes allows for a broad spectrum of uses in electric vehicles. These range from e-motor encapsulations to the reduction of noise and vibration of inverters, gearboxes, pumps and compressors.

 By offering both fibre and foam-based variants, Autoneum is able to flexibly cater to individual customer needs and preferences in respect of material, acoustic concept, sustainability and cost.

For noise protection in the engine bay, patented Hybrid-Acoustics PET is made of 100% PET with up to 50% recycled fibres. Cut-offs in production are reclaimed, processed and reused and the material can be fully recycled at end of product life. The textile technology, which is part of the Autoneum Pure range, is particularly suited to attenuating the high-frequency sounds of the electric drive unit and offers the optimum balance of absorption and insulation. In addtion, components made of Hybrid-Acoustics PET are up to 40% lighter than standard insulators.

To accommodate the differing preferences of vehicle manufacturers, Autoneum has complemented its lightweight textile technology with two foam-based alternatives. Since the foam is injected in both technologies, no waste is generated during production either. Hybrid-Acoustics Flex is based on the same acoustic concept as Hybrid-Acoustics PET, but the decoupler is made of foam instead of felt. Autoneum’s Fit Flex, on the other hand, combines the foam decoupler with an injection moulded heavy layer. Thanks to the high geometrical adaptability of foam to even complex shapes, both technologies offer outstanding acoustic performance in the insulation of e-motors and other noise sources in electric vehicles. The absorbing or insulating acoustic quality of the foam can also be flexibly tuned to specific customer needs.

The technologies are now available in Europe, North America and China.

www.autoneum.com