Currently automobile companies are facing some major problems in the area of heat management. Many components experience excessive heat build-up which result in high waranty costs and bring up safety related concerns. Presently manufacturers shield high temperature exhaust components with thin metalic heat shields. A major concern is the close proximity of the exhaust system to a variety of critical components. Such components include gas lines, gas tanks, oil lines and the floor pan. Three forms of ceramic based insulation were applied to the vehicle exhaust system for testing and evaluation, namely a fibrous blanket, a brush-on coating, and a moldable putty. The exhaust system, as well as some critical components, were thermocoupled for the three different insulations as well as for a baseline test of an uninsulated but mechanically shielded exhaust. Reduction in temperatures for floor pan, floor covering, exhaust system, underhood electronic components, and fuel temperatures have been realized as compared to the baseline system.
