scope:

This standard describes the requirements for fiber-based acoustic wheel house liners attached to the exterior of the vehicle.

Note: Nothing in this standard supercedes applicable laws and regulations.

Note: In the event of conflict between the English and domestic language, the English language shall take precedence.

Material Description. This material shall be comprised of a needle punched nonwoven material that is molded and formed to the specific geometry of the wheel well. The material shall be a moldable, self-supporting composite with a uniform black color surface on the tire side of the parts and shall be suitable for use in exterior vehicle environments for protecting both front and rear wheel house applications.

Material and Performance Classification. Identification: The specific types required for individual parts shall be called out on the engineering drawings.

Acoustic Absorption Level. Wheel liner shall perform to the acoustic absorption level specified on engineering drawing, Level A, B or C. See 3.2 and Table 3. If no level is specified on the drawing, the default shall be Level A.

Water Pass-Through Class.

• Class 1 - No water pass-through allowed. Impermeable barrier required either locally or globally. Wheel liner must meet all Class 1 requirements listed in Table 2.

• Class 2 - Water pass-through permitted. Wheel liner must meet all Class 2 requirements listed in Table 2. If no class is specified on the drawing, the default shall be Class 2.

Flexural Rigidity. Rigidity of wheel liner may be specified on engineering drawing, followed by the suffix "R-" (see Section 8).

Hydrophobicity. Wheel liner hydrophobicity shall be called out on the drawing (H = hydrophobic, NH = non-hydrophobic). See Section 8 for specifics.

Symbols. Not applicable.

Typical Applications. This material is intended to protect the body and the engine compartment from water splash, road debris, and noise and vibration in the wheel area. The material acts as both a physical barrier and provides acoustic absorption, transmission loss, and internal damping related to impact noise. The material can be attached to body and frame components around the wheel house area with standard mechanical fasteners such as push pins, threaded fasteners, etc.

The appropriate material type shall be selected for each vehicle application based upon the engineering requirements (stiffness, acoustics, water pass-through, geometry, etc.)

Remarks. Not applicable.

Limitations on Usage. The materials described in this specification are designed for use in applications where the component will not exceed temperatures of 120 °C. Above this temperature additional insulators or reflectors can be applied and need to be tested in vehicle.