Abstract: A fibrous vehicle underbody shield and method for manufacturing the same is provided. A binderless core of non-woven fibrous material defines first and second surfaces of the fibrous vehicle underbody shield. The second surface of the fibrous vehicle underbody is opposite the first surface such that the first and second surfaces are separated by a final product thickness. The first and second surfaces include at least one molded contour that gives the first and second surfaces a non-planar shape. The non-woven fibrous material of the binderless core includes a plurality of fibers that are mechanically entangled with each other and have a coating that withstands a heat exposure of 200 degrees Celsius. The fibrous vehicle underbody shield includes a latex impregnation. The latex impregnation is disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces and penetrates the non-woven fibrous material of the binderless core an impregnation distance.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier assembly for a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. A decoupler layer surrounds a pass-through opening in a wall of the vehicle to defining a decoupler aperture that is open to the pass-through opening. A barrier layer abuts the decoupler layer and defines a barrier aperture that is also open to the pass-through opening. An acoustic seal is integrally formed in the barrier layer. The acoustic seal defines an exposed region of the barrier layer that is not bounded by the decoupler layer. The exposed region of the barrier layer directly contacts the wall around the pass-through opening and seals around a penetrating member that extends through the pass-through opening. The acoustic seal thus reduces flanking noise traveling through a gap between the penetrating member and the pass-through opening.

Abstract: A fibrous vehicle underbody shield and method for manufacturing the same is provided. A binderless core of non-woven fibrous material defines first and second surfaces of the fibrous vehicle underbody shield. The second surface of the fibrous vehicle underbody is opposite the first surface such that the first and second surfaces are separated by a final product thickness. The first and second surfaces include at least one molded contour that gives the first and second surfaces a non-planar shape. The non-woven fibrous material of the binderless core includes a plurality of fibers that are mechanically entangled with each other and have a coating that withstands a heat exposure of 200 degrees Celsius. The fibrous vehicle underbody shield includes a latex impregnation. The latex impregnation is disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces and penetrates the non-woven fibrous material of the binderless core an impregnation distance.

Abstract: The disclosed acoustic insulator mat includes a first absorber layer made of a non-woven fibrous material. The non-woven fibrous material comprises a mesh of intertwined fibers that defines a plurality of cavities. The first absorber layer has a first side and a second side. Peripheral cavities are arranged along the second side of the first absorber layer between peripheral fibers. A coating is disposed on the second side of the first absorber layer. The coating is adhered to the peripheral fibers and thus includes a plurality of discontinuities at the peripheral cavities such that the coating provides a partial barrier to noise at the second side of the first absorber layer. The acoustic insulator mat may optionally include a second absorber layer that is retained on the first absorber layer by the coating. A method of manufacturing the acoustic insulator mat is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed acoustic insulator mat includes a first absorber layer made of a non-woven fibrous material. The non-woven fibrous material comprises a mesh of intertwined fibers that defines a plurality of cavities. The first absorber layer has a first side and a second side. Peripheral cavities are arranged along the second side of the first absorber layer between peripheral fibers. A coating is disposed on the second side of the first absorber layer. The coating is adhered to the peripheral fibers and thus includes a plurality of discontinuities at the peripheral cavities such that the coating provides a partial barrier to noise at the second side of the first absorber layer. The acoustic insulator mat may optionally include a second absorber layer that is retained on the first absorber layer by the coating. A method of manufacturing the acoustic insulator mat is also disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic barrier assembly for a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. A decoupler layer surrounds a pass-through opening in a wall of the vehicle to defining a decoupler aperture that is open to the pass-through opening. A barrier layer abuts the decoupler layer and defines a barrier aperture that is also open to the pass-through opening. An acoustic seal is integrally formed in the barrier layer. The acoustic seal defines an exposed region of the barrier layer that is not bounded by the decoupler layer. The exposed region of the barrier layer directly contacts the wall around the pass-through opening and seals around a penetrating member that extends through the pass-through opening. The acoustic seal thus reduces flanking noise traveling through a gap between the penetrating member and the pass-through opening.

Abstract: A fibrous acoustic insulator includes a nonwoven mat having at least a first layer impregnated with a thermoset polymeric material that is liquid-based. A second layer oppositely facing with respect to the first layer is also impregnated with the thermoset polymeric material. An un-impregnated nonwoven material layer defining an inner layer is positioned between the first and second layers. The un-impregnated nonwoven material layer may be shoddy and does not include the thermoset polymeric material, thereby defining an untreated nonwoven material layer.

Abstract: An engine intake manifold assembly (10), including a first component (12) having a first mating surface (14) and a second molded plastic component (16) having a second mating surface (18). The second molded plastic component (16) is adhesively bonded to the first component (12) with an adhesive (20). The adhesive bond strength exceeds the strength of the second molded plastic component (16).

Abstract: A method for repairing fuel tanks having detected leaks comprises (1) filling the detected leaks by applying an adhesive over the detected leaks and allowing the adhesive to cure to seal the detected leaks or (2) providing a fuel tank having a surface with detected leaks, providing a patch having a surface to be attached to the fuel tank surface having detected leaks, coating one or both surfaces with an adhesive, applying the patch over the detected leak(s) such that the adhesive is interposed between the patch surface and the tank surface, pressing the patch against the tank and allowing the adhesive to cure to bond the two surfaces together.

Abstract: A fuel tank comprising two or more sections bonded together with an adhesive which bonds to low energy surface materials and has fuel barrier properties.