Henkel and 4Jet have designed a new process to manufacture silent tires for EVs. The innovative Laser-Fit process uses a custom-made acoustic foam made from liquid materials, inside the tire at the end of the tire line. The simplified manufacturing process eliminates the need for complex sequences and logistics.
This direct foam process is prevalent in other industries. With the help of a patented foam activation process, Henkel and 4Jet use a laser after the foam has been applied. This forms a skin on the tire surface that cuts down tire noise.
Dr Rainer Schönfeld, head of global market strategy in Henkel’s automotive component business unit, explained, “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.”
With EVs, tire rolling noise is more noticeable inside the cabin than in ICE vehicles. Modern vehicles already use tires with polyurethane (PU) foam lining on the inside. However, the production process for these tires is complicated, with multiple stages to integrate the foam into the tire. Henkel and 4Jet claim that their innovation will eliminate these challenges.
