Lubricants That Address Automotive Noise and Vibration Issues
Compared to the past, today's automobiles are designed to provide a smoother driving experience and a quieter cabin environment. Because of this, people are now paying more attention to faint noises and slight rattles that were previously overlooked.
Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) as well as buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR) can be emitted by many internal and external components. These sources may include rubber against coating, metal against plastic, and leather against leather friction, or may come from the engine.
Henkel® high-performance lubricants are the ideal choice for solving NVH and BSR issues because they can:
Easily applied by spraying or brushing
Resistant to harsh conditions such as rain, snow, ice, salt, dust, and dirt
Resistant to fuel, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid
Low evaporation or no property change throughout the vehicle's life cycle
Compatible with all other potentially contacting substances and surfaces
Meets driver and passenger expectations
Driven by customer demand, automakers have for years sought to reduce NVH and BSR through various passive design techniques and active technical features.
Noise reduction and vibration damping performance are key considerations for new car buyers — especially with the emergence of EVs (electric vehicles) — and often influence buyers' perception of vehicle quality and value. Beyond the obvious annoyance, there are many important reasons why buyers want quiet, smooth-riding cars.
These include:
Low- and mid-frequency noise greatly contributes to driving fatigue
High-frequency noise can limit people's ability to hear conversations in the vehicle
Noise can cause headaches, stress, and irritability
Vibration can cause irritation and discomfort
For more information, please refer to the NVH white paper.
What applications are Hank® automotive lubricants suitable for?
Hank® PFPE lubricants are generally used in two categories of automotive applications:
Under the hood
As aerodynamic requirements demand tighter packaging and larger engines are replaced by smaller turbocharged and supercharged engines to improve fuel efficiency, under-hood temperatures are gradually rising. Because under-hood ambient temperatures exceed 120C (248F), automotive applications requiring PFPE lubricants are also increasing, including:
Overrunning alternator decoupler pulleys
Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) tensioners and idler pulleys
Throttle Body Bearings
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valves
Intake Manifold Seals and Actuators
Fan Clutch Bearings
Fuel System Emission Control Valves
Electric Cooling System Pumps and Valves
Ignition System Spark Plug Caps
Automotive Interior and Exterior Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
Hank® lubricants are a long-term, highly effective solution for eliminating buzz, squeak and rattle (BSR) inside and outside the vehicle cabin. These PFPE oils and greases effectively reduce noise generated by friction between surfaces, as well as noise from mechanical vibration, without causing any material compatibility issues or producing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some applications include:
Weatherstripping and Elastomeric Seals
Interior plastic, metal and leather surfaces
Center console hinges and latches
Door and trunk latch systems
Brake pedal assembly
Seat mechanisms (slide rails, headrest rods and locks)
Power switches
Airbag springs
Exterior mirrors
Suspension bushings
