Abstract: A damped heat shield for a high temperature portion of a vehicle exhaust system. The heat shield has inner and outer metal layers of substantially different thicknesses and substantially different resonant frequencies, which causes the shield to damp vibrational energy and reduce radiated sound energy and noise. Between the metal layers is a layer of sound and heat shielding material such as aluminum foil or ceramic fiber paper. The metal layers are preferably stainless steel, cold rolled steel, aluminized steel, aluminum-clad steel, or aluminum. If cold rolled steel is used, the exterior of the shield is preferably coated with a corrosion-resistant coating.

Abstract: A method for making a sound-dampened automotive enclosure, such as an oil pan, having a metal constraining layer, a metal housing layer, and a viscoelastic layer sandwiched therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the constraining layer and viscoelastic layer are between the housing layer and the die while the housing layer is being drawn. This results in a very close and snug fit between the layers, leading to enhanced sound-dampening effectiveness. The article thus produced is also disclosed.