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Damping materials are applied to the vehicle body during production to provide passenger comfort by reducing noise and structural vibration through energy dissipation. Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Engineers identify critical areas of the vehicle body for material placement. Damping materials, which include liquid applied dampers, are typically applied directly on the structure, covering large areas. These film forming materials can be spray applied using automation and, after baking, result in a cured viscoelastic damping layer on the target substrate. Typical liquid applied dampers contain an aqueous dispersion of film forming polymer which functions to bind inorganic materials together in the coating and provide a composite structure that dissipates energy. Representative damping coatings were prepared from dispersions of polymers with varying viscoelastic properties and chemical compositions.

The human factor will always be a deterrent to achievement of 100% safety in automobiles, but new design and materials have considerably narrowed the margin of risk in highway accidents. This article considers the contributions made by the chemical industry in providing materials suitable for this purpose. Improvements in crash padding, hydraulic fluids, and gas tanks have greatly reduced injuries attributable to impact, fire, and brake failure. The close cooperation of the automotive and chemical industries is duly credited for these safety efforts. Emphasis is placed on the need for integration of inspection, driver education, highway design, and traffic laws with enforcing agencies in order to perfect overall in-use protection.