Engineering Polyurethane Excellence

BMW, Rover, Renault, General Motors and Volvo among others of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers look to ‘Autothane’® NVH (noise, vibration and handling) suspension components to minimize noise and vibration in domestic, commercial and sports motoring. The best possible management of shock, impact and vibration is crucial to good handling, and therefore to the safety of the vehicle.

Jounce bumpers, spring aids, seals and gaiters, tie rod isolators typify the applications that rely on the intrinsic properties of this engineered polyurethane to support a system that isolates road noise and vibration, so making the vehicle’s ride a smoother and safer one. But what are the characteristics of this outstanding material that suit it to its demanding role?

‘Autothane’, is a high-performance microcellular elastomer with a closed cell structure. Outperforming rubber, ‘Autothane’ stands repeated high load deformation and returns to its original shape. Suppressing and absorbing shock and vibration as it does so whilst improving overall the ride profile of the vehicle, it demonstrates the inherent dynamism of the material.

In addition to excellent hydrolytic stability and exceptional dampening properties, ‘Autothane’ shows excellent resistance to chemicals, grease and ozone. ‘Autothane’ is also extremely resistant to microbial attack, and, of necessity within its mechanically harsh working environment, it resists the action of water, salt, oils, and fuels. Compared to other materials of this type ‘Autothane’ demonstrates best performance in terms of its consistent operation over a wide range of temperatures, thus ensuring reliability in all climates. ‘Autothane’ will outlast the normal life of a vehicle plus it is then capable of being recycled.

Perhaps there’s no better test of this latter capability than during the Grand Prix season with venues all over the world in just such dramatic variations of weather and climate. Tested to it’s limits on the race track, the F1 Williams, BAR, Jaguar and Jordan teams cars depend on ‘Autothane’ suspension components, for their excellent mechanical properties, outstanding abrasion resistance, high compressive strength and unequalled low temperature flexibility.

The ‘Autothane’ spring aid provides a cost effective, light-weight component with a constant natural suspension frequency throughout the vehicle load range. Tested rigorously for ride and comfort, ‘Autothane’ jounce bumpers, body mounts and vibration isolation components demonstrate improvement over small and large vertical displacements throughout the vehicle load range.

‘Autothane’ components are now manufactured globally under license in the UK, USA, China, Korea and Malaysia. Licensee, US Farathane, for example, supplies Ford, General Motors, Delphi and Sachs for top line models such as the Cadillac STS, Ford Ranger, GMT800, Saturn Ion as well as full size trucks. ‘Autothane’ components are currently being supplied to Japan from the UK, China and Malaysia in advance of a local licensee commencing manufacture.

Fully supported from the Autothane Technical Design and Test Centre in Birch Vale, England, ‘Autothane’ is one of the flagship products of Hyperlast Limited, the UK based polyurethane specialists. It performs in millions of everyday cars and lorries throughout the world. Resilient, dynamic and durable in performance, ‘Autothane’ exemplifies clearly how focused the development of a bespoke polyurethane system can be.