Safety first in vehicle insulation

To meet stringent quality, acoustic, safety and environmental requirements demanded by vehicle manufacturers, insulating materials used in cars, trucks and buses need to meet the highest standards

Advances in requirements from vehicle manufacturers regarding the quality of materials used to insulate their products – including locally assembled trucks and buses – mean that suppliers to the automotive sector have to meet an expanding range of criteria.

One such supplier is Fibertex South Africa. Its specialists work closely with automotive manufacturers to design solutions for vehicles using lightweight materials for high performance, enhanced comfort inside the cabin, extended service life and optimum safety on the road.

“It is critical in automotive design and manufacture that the correct materials are used to meet stringent quality, acoustic, safety and environmental requirements – as specified in the industry,” explains Lance Woolley, business development manager at Fibertex SA.

“Fibertex non-wovens are used in automotive manufacturing to reduce the weight of a vehicle to improve fuel economy, to enhance comfort, for general thermal and acoustic insulation and to offer flame retardancy. These high-performance materials improve the driving experience through advanced acoustics.”

Fibertex non-wovens are designed for use in many automotive applications, including engine bays, interiors, wheels and underbodies, as well as luggage compartments.

The company’s materials are also used in automotive interiors for headliners, seats, carpet backings and door panels. These durable materials are also used for wheel housings and liners, the underbody cover, secondary carpet backings and cable wraps. Luggage compartment applications include parcel tray liners, boot liners, as well as seat-cover backings and carpet backings.

Fibertex, which continuously invests in technological advancements to meet requirements in the automotive sector, has developed a wide range of environmentally friendly sound-absorption materials, with excellent acoustic properties. Sound absorbing materials are essential in automotive design and manufacture to obtain maximum comfort for driver and passengers.

Lightweight materials are highly effective in vehicle roofs to reduce high-frequency noise during travel.

Heavyweight, needled PET fabric is used in moulded wheel arches to reduce tyre noise, while facing fabrics for engine compartment insulation significantly reduce mechanical noise.

Composite non-wovens are designed for use in carpet moulding to minimise sounds generated from beneath the vehicle.

Global support from Fibertex’s holding company in Denmark guarantees product design, impeccable manufacturing standards, cost efficiency, safety and reliability.

Apart from the automotive sector, other key areas of business include acoustics, bedding, building, composites, concrete, filtration, flooring, furniture, geotextiles, medical and wipes.