Henkel and 4JET Unveil Silent Tire Process for Electric Vehicles

In electric vehicles, the lightweight construction and lack of engine noise make tire rolling noise more prominent inside the cabin. Depending on the road surface and speed, this noise can be far more intrusive and unpleasant compared to combustion vehicles. To address this, modern electric vehicles often come equipped with tires featuring an acoustic polyurethane (PU) foam lining on the inside. These "Silent Tires" significantly cut down on noise emissions both within the vehicle and in the surrounding environment, leading to a much improved driving experience.

Henkel and 4JET are now launching a novel process to address these issues with silent tires. Their innovative LASER-FIT method involves creating custom acoustic foam directly inside the tire from liquid materials at the end of the production line. This approach streamlines the process by eliminating just-in-sequence complexity, reducing time-consuming logistics and manual steps, and providing tire manufacturers with greater flexibility in adjusting the foam's geometry and volume to match the tire type. Additionally, it helps minimize waste generation.

Our new to market Loctite LASER-FIT acoustic foam achieves its sound absorption effect through a large inner surface and a pore design specifically tailored for tire noise suppression. Without 4JET`s laser activation process, which precisely removes the foam skin, the majority of sound waves would be reflected off the foam surface instead of being absorbed. This great idea is a prime example of the innovative strength of German SMEs, which continue to be the engine of our economy

This revolutionary direct-foam-to-tire technology represents our joint commitment to innovation and sustainability. By eliminating the transportation of prefabricated foam and reducing cutting waste, we will enable our customers to lower their carbon footprint.

Source: Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Private Limited