How to Reduce Noise, Vibrations, and Harshness (NVH) with PSA Tapes
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) are more than simply nuisances. They can have significant effects on the performance, durability, and user experience of products. The most cost-effective time to fix these issues is in the design phase, as the components you choose to use in your products can eliminate NVH at the source. For engineers seeking effective solutions to mitigate the effects of NVH, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes offer an affordable and effective solution. These adhesive tapes can be utilized to control and reduce NVH in different applications, so long as the right types of tapes are selected and fabricated to fit the specific product.
The Causes of NVH in Products
NVH refers to the unwanted sound (noise), slight movements and motions (vibrations), and the overall feel of roughness or discomfort (harshness) that products can produce. These factors are especially critical in industries such as automotive, non-automotive transportation, electronics, HVAC units and appliances, where user experience and product performance can be negatively impacted by NVH. It’s also important to prevent NVH in industrial settings, where OSHA regulations dictate that noise hazards must be addressed and controlled for a safe work environment.
The most commons sources of NVH in various applications include:
Automotive: engine noise, component vibrations, and wind noise.
Electronics: fan noise, internal component vibrations, and electromagnetic interference.
Appliances: motor noise, compressor vibrations, and operational hum.
HVAC: compressor systems, fans, intakes and outlets, motors, etc.
Industrial: general operation of heavy machinery, motors, and other equipment.
NVH Has a Negative Impact on Products
As an engineer or OEMs, why should you be concerned about NVH? Fixing these issues in your products means going back and changing their overall design, replacing components and remanufacturing products at a cost to your business. NVH causes many issues in products, including:
Lower Performance: excessive NVH can degrade the performance of products, leading to inefficiencies and reduced lifespan. For example, in the automotive industry, high levels of NVH can affect engine performance and fuel efficiency.
User Discomfort: noise and vibrations can create significant discomfort for users, reducing their overall satisfaction with the product. This applies to everything from consumer electronics to vehicles and appliances. The less pleasing a product is to use, the less it is worth to customers. This can result in lower sales or product prices.
Increased Wear and Tear: NVH contributes to the accelerated wear and tear of product components, leading to more frequent repairs and replacements. This can significantly increase maintenance requirements while reducing the product's lifespan.
Structural Damage: persistent vibrations can also cause structural damage to products, leading to cracks, fractures, and other forms of material fatigue. This can compromise the safety and integrity of the product in addition to decreasing its lifespan.
Health Concerns: prolonged exposure to high levels of noise and vibrations has been connected to hearing loss, stress, and musculoskeletal problems. This is a significant concern in both consumer and industrial settings.
Decreased Productivity: in industrial environments, high levels of NVH can also decrease worker productivity by creating a distracting and uncomfortable workspace.
Customer Dissatisfaction: products that produce excessive noise and vibrations often lead to customer complaints and returns, damaging your company's reputation and customer loyalty.
Regulatory Non-Compliance: many industries are subject to strict regulations regarding acceptable levels of noise and vibrations. Failing to comply with these standards can result in fines and legal issues.
Higher Operational Costs: increased wear and tear, maintenance, and regulatory compliance issues all contribute to higher operational costs for your business.
Lower Market Competitiveness: products with high NVH levels are less competitive in the market, as consumers and businesses prefer quieter, smoother-operating alternatives.
How PSA Tapes Help Control NVH
The issues caused by NVH are clear, but so is the solution. One of the best ways to control NVH issues in product design is using PSA tapes as a bonding solution. PSA tapes come in many different materials and formulations, and many backing options (like foam) can mitigate the effects of NVH in three different ways:
Stopping it at the Source: PSA tapes, like single-sided foam tapes, can act as a gap filler that prevents product components from moving or rubbing against one another, which is a significant cause of NVH.
Absorbing NVH: if it’s not possible to stop the source of the NVH, PSA tapes can dampen the effects by absorbing the NVH through the body of the tape construction.
Shielding: PSA tapes and acoustical insulation also act as a barrier that prevents NVH transfer into different parts of the product or to areas where user will be (such as the cabin of a vehicle.
PSA tapes provide multiple benefits to the products they are used in:
Vibration Damping: PSA tapes absorb and dissipate vibrational energy, reducing the amplitude of vibrations and preventing them from spreading to other parts of the product.
Noise Reduction: by isolating components and providing a barrier to sound waves, PSA tapes effectively reduce noise levels. This is particularly useful in applications where quiet operation is essential.
Cushioning and Shock Absorption: PSA tapes provide cushioning between components, absorbing shocks and preventing direct contact that can lead to noise and vibration.
Isolation of Components: by isolating components from one another, PSA tapes prevent the transmission of vibrations and noise through the structure of the product.
Sealant Properties and Gap Filling: PSA tapes can seal gaps and prevent air and sound leakage, contributing to a quieter and more stable product operation.
Stabilizing Components: PSA tapes help stabilize components, reducing movement and the resultant noise and vibrations.
PSA tapes also have significant benefits over other types of fasteners and other NVH products:
Ease of Application: PSA tapes are easy to apply, without the need for special tools or equipment. They can be quickly and precisely placed, reducing installation time and labor costs.
Lightweight Solutions: compared to mechanical fasteners and rubber mounts, PSA tapes are lightweight, which helps in maintaining the overall weight of the product.
Cost-Effectiveness: PSA tapes provide an economical solution for NVH control, often offering lower material and installation costs compared to traditional methods.
Flexibility and Conformability to Irregular Surfaces: PSA tapes can conform to irregular and uneven surfaces, ensuring consistent adhesion and effectiveness in NVH control across complex substrates.
Temperature Stability: the right PSA tapes maintain their adhesive properties across a wide range of temperatures, ensuring consistent performance in various environmental conditions.
Durability Over Time: PSA tapes are designed to be durable, maintaining their NVH control properties over the product’s lifespan even under continuous stress and environmental exposure.
NVH Solutions for Your Product
While some PSA tapes, particularly single-sided foam tapes, double-sided foam tapes, and VHB Acrylic Foam Tapes are a great way to design in NVH control, there are specific acoustical management materials that can be layered with a variety of PSA tape options to allow for either the absorption of sound or the eradication of it at the source. Of course, if there are squeaks in an existing design that need to be fixed, slick surface tapes, like UHMW tapes and Teflon tapes, are a great solution to immediately eliminate noise in use. At Engineered Materials, we custom fabricate adhesive tape solutions with a variety of acoustical management material options:
Acoustical Insulation Blankets: nonwoven acoustical insulation provides both thermal and NVH protection. They have a UL 94V-0 flame class rating, making them ideal for industrial, automotive, appliance, and aerospace applications. They also offer strong chemical resistance and low moisture absorption.
Sound Damping Pads: these pads are specifically designed to stop NVH at its source, providing an acoustical solution that also comes with flame retardancy and weathering, UV, and moisture resistance. They are commonly used in automotive and a variety of other applications.
Foam Damping Pads: these pads not only can dampen vibrations at their source, they can also act as acoustical insulation barriers. There are a wide variety of open cell and closed cell foam solutions for nearly any application.
We can combine these products and more with your choice of PSA tape, and custom die cut them to specific shapes and sizes that allow them to be used in any product, all while reducing your application time during manufacturing and assembly.