Abstract: A composition for a slurry for manufacture of a building panel includes one or more fillers, one or more binders and water. One or more fillers is an expanded perlite at least partially covered with a film-forming, thermoplastic polymer coating Some embodiments use calcined or uncalcined gypsum as a binder or filler. One embodiment is a building panel that includes a solid matrix of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals bound to expanded perlite. A method of making the panel includes acquiring expanded perlite and coating it with film-forming, thermoplastic polymer coating. After the expanded perlite is prepared, it is combined with water other optional fillers and one or more binders to form a slurry. The slurry is shaped into a panel and allowed to dry.

Abstract: A composition for a slurry for manufacture of a building panel includes one or more fillers, one or more binders and water. One or more fillers is an expanded perlite at least partially covered with a film-forming, thermoplastic polymer coating Some embodiments use calcined or uncalcined gypsum as a binder or filler. One embodiment is a building panel that includes a solid matrix of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals bound to expanded perlite. A method of making the panel includes acquiring expanded perlite and coating it with film-forming, thermoplastic polymer coating. After the expanded perlite is prepared, it is combined with water other optional fillers and one or more binders to form a slurry. The slurry is shaped into a panel and allowed to dry.

Abstract: A damped assembly is provided including a drivable assembly with housing, and a damper structure in operative association with the housing for dampening noise and/or vibration. The damper structure includes a viscoelastic damper layer and a continuous, polymeric constraining layer intimately contacting and encasing the viscoelastic damper layer.

Abstract: A disc drive assembly is provided including a head disc assembly, a housing having a base and a cover cooperating with one another to form a chamber in which the head disc assembly is housed, and a damper structure in operative association with the housing for dampening noise and/or vibration emanated from the head disc assembly. The damper structure includes a viscoelastic damper layer and a continuous, polymeric constraining layer intimately contacting and encasing the viscoelastic damper layer. The constraining layer has a greater stiffness and higher modulus of dynamic shearing elasticity than the viscoelastic damper layer, and is molded from a high density filler and a moldable compound that is immiscible with the viscoelastic damper layer to provide a discrete interface between the constraining layer and the viscoelastic damper layer.

Abstract: A disc drive assembly is provided including a head disc assembly, a housing having a base and a cover cooperating with one another to form a chamber in which the head disc assembly is housed, and a damper structure in operative association with the housing for dampening noise and/or vibration emanated from the head disc assembly. The damper structure includes a viscoelastic damper layer and a continuous, polymeric constraining layer intimately contacting and encasing the viscoelastic damper layer. The constraining layer has a greater stiffness and higher modulus of dynamic shearing elasticity than the viscoelastic damper layer, and is molded from a high density filler and a moldable compound that is immiscible with the viscoelastic damper layer to provide a discrete interface between the constraining layer and the viscoelastic damper layer.

Abstract: A laminate comprises first and second metal layers, and a metallic felt layer disposed between the metal layers and attached to each to provide vibrational damping and thermal insulation. In one embodiment, the layers are tubular in shape and form an automotive exhaust pipe. In another embodiment the layers are annular in shape and form a disk of a brake rotor. In another embodiment the laminate is a damping structure for a brake pad assembly, wherein the first metal layer may either be the backing plate of the brake pad assembly or be attached to the backing plate. The damping structure may include additional metallic felt and metal layers. Various modes of attachment of the metallic felt layer to the metal layers are disclosed. The metallic felt layer may be completely surrounded by metal.

Abstract: A channel-shaped support bracket for a disk drive assembly has a base wall, opposed side walls and flanges respectively extending outwardly from the side walls. The bracket is formed of a laminate of a viscoelastic layer sandwiched between two metal layers for vibration damping. The disk drive assembly has a printed circuit board on one side thereof. The flanges have holes for receiving fasteners to mount the bracket on an associated substrate. The disk drive assembly is mounted with the printed circuit board facing the base wall of the bracket. It may be disposed between the side walls, being either mounted on the side walls and spaced from the base wall or mounted against the base wall, or may be mounted on the opposite surface of the base wall. End walls may be provided extending from the base wall in a direction opposite from the direction in which the side walls extend. Fasteners extend through openings in the walls and may be cushioned with rubber grommets.