Thermo-Compression Molding of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Duct for the Automotive Industry

Calling on our thermo-compression molding expertise for parts for the automotive industry, S&A Industries was contracted to manufacture this custom inlet and discharge duct. The compression porous duct was designed for noise reduction within a battery cooling application for hybrid vehicles. The purpose is to bring cooled air to the ESS from the cabin without creating a noise issue for the passengers. This thermo-compressed duct project allowed us to exhibit our many capabilities beyond thermo-compression including non-woven material production, hot plate welding, gluing, in line testing and complex assembly. Producing and utilizing recyclable non-woven polyester provided a 35% weight reduction compared to a plastic duct. It also afforded a temperature resistance up to 95°C and breathability of 10l/dm2/min/mbar. The duct,

used globally for hybrid and electric vehicles, offered safety features to protect the expensive batteries used in the specialty vehicles. The noise performance of the part speaks for itself. The Inlet porous duct yielded 10dB improvement compared to a molded duct. The discharge porous duct yielded up to 5dB at higher frequencies.

Upon delivery of the duct, our customer was pleased with all of the product benefits while the part met automotive interior requirements and customer provided standards. To see how S&A Industries can thermo-compress the perfect part for your application, contact us.

Thermo-Compression Molding Project Highlights

Inlet & Discharge Porous Duct Manufacturing Compression Porous duct is used for noise reduction within a Battery Cooling Application for Hybrid Vehicle
Capabilities Applied/Processes
  • Non-woven material production
  • Gluing Assembly
  • Thermo-Compression molding
  • In line checking one 100% of the part
  • Welding : Hot Plate
  • Complex Assembly
3D & Modeling capabilitySoftware Capabilities :
  • Noise: LAMPS/SAPY
  • Pressure Drop: SCRYU/Fluent
  • 3D: NX/ Unigraphics
Material UsedNon-Woven Polyester
Technical Specifications
  • Material breathable: 10 l/dm2/min/mbar
  • Material hydrophobic: Non Treated
  • Temperature resistant : 95°C
Features / Advantage
  • Weight Reduction compare to Molded Plastic part 35 % lighter than a 2.5 mm thick PP part
  • Designed reduce air flow imbalance between inlet and outlet openings
  • Recyclable material
  • Porous Duct offers safety features to protect expensive hybrid & electric batteries.
Noise Performance
  • Inlet Porous Duct yields 10 dB improvement compare to a molded duct
  • Discharge Porous duct yields up to 5 dB improvement until mid-range and 12 dB at higher frequencies
Industry for Use
  • Automotive; Energy Storage System cooling
  • Used for Hybrid & Electric vehicles
Delivery LocationGlobally
Standards MetAutomotive Interior requirements
Product NamePorous Noise Reduction Duct
Thermo-Compression Molding of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Duct for the Automotive Industry