Use of Heat Reflective Coating for Vibration Insulation Rubber Parts in Automotive Applications 2012-01-1182

Vibration insulation rubber parts are used in automotive applications to meet noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) requirements. Some of these parts are located in high heat areas in the engine bay or near the exhaust pipe. Often, the parts need to be protected from heat to reduce material degradation, decrease in NVH benefit, and part failure. A number of methods are used to lower the part temperature. Layout, material change, and part shielding are common methods. Each of these methods has its own positives and negatives. A heat reflective coating was developed for use on these parts to provide an additional option to lower the part temperature. The coating is applied to the surface of the rubber to protect against radiant heat. It can match the elongation of the substrate rubber without impacting durability or the static and dynamic properties. The use of a heat reflective coating provides a reduction of the rubber substrate surface temperature in a laboratory setting using radiant heat as well as during on-vehicle testing.