Car soundproofing is a complex of technological processes aimed at reducing the noise level in the car. Soundproofing is one of the components of car tuning. Improved passive safety and anti-corrosion properties are pleasant bonuses from soundproofing.
Comfort is one of the main emotions in the life of any person. Therefore, car manufacturers (to increase competitiveness) face a difficult task - to leave the minimum price for the buyer, but also profitable for themselves. This means that they only meet the minimum acoustic comfort requirements. Therefore, all vehicles need soundproofing.
Why reduce the noise?
Of course, the main goal is the comfort and health of the driver and passengers.
More detailed tasks of the car treatment with sound deadening materials:
1) Directly soundproofing:
• Reduction of road noise levels, noise from the engine, transmission, exhaust system
• Reduction of aerodynamic noise level
• Elimination of squeaks of interior decorative elements
2) Acoustic treatment of the car for the installation of audio systems
3) Thermal insulation
Depending on the chosen task, certain soundproofing materials are selected and certain areas of the car are processed.
Sources of noise
The technical condition, age of the vehicle, its driving dynamics and external factors (for example, road conditions) affect total noise level in the car interior. There are 2 large groups of noise sources, in which different subgroups are distinguished:
External noise sources:
For example, the noise from friction between the tyres and the road surface, noise from the air flow and various sounds "from the street" that are not related to the movement of the car: screams, knocks, etc.
Internal noise sources:
Engine and transmission noise. Creak of plastic trim panels.
Depending on the nature of the sound, appropriate materials and techniques must be used to reduce this or that noise.
Sound proofing materials
Materials differ in acoustical and physical properties. There are the following types of materials:
1. Vibro-deadening
1.1 Mastic - a composition of 3 layers. The polymer layer is a non-curing sealant based on modified butyl rubber from 1.5 to 3 mm thick. Embossed aluminum foil layer 60 to 100 µm thick. The sealant is highly adhesive, that’s why a material is protected by a layer of anti-adhesive paper. The specific gravity of these materials is from 2.5 to 6.5 kg / m2.
1.2 Bitumen - a composition based on 3 components. The main layer is bitumen modified with various additives that expand their performance characteristics. Bitumen materials are more rigid, therefore, both aluminum foil and PET film can be used as the top layer. The adhesive layer is applied separately, because bitumen materials do not have self-adhesiveness. The thickness of the materials is from 2 to 3.5 mm, the specific gravity is from 3.0 to 4.5 kg / m2.
1.3 Bitumen-mastic (mainly used in aftermarket - tuning centers)
2. Sound absorbing
3. Heat and sound insulating
4. Sealing
To significantly increase the acoustic comfort in the car interior, respectively, to reduce the total noise level, a complex application of these materials is necessary.
Soundproofing process
Stage 1. First of all, you need to understand what a person does not like in his car.
Stage 2. To eliminate the identified deficiency, methods and solutions are selected.
Stage 3. Preparation of the car (disassembly of the car interior, preparation of the treated surface)
Stage 4. The process of car soundproofing with the materials.
Stage 5. Assembling the car interior.