In today's fast-paced world, product performance is no longer just about functionality—it’s about creating a seamless and quiet user experience. Whether you're in the automotive, HVAC, medical, or electronics industry, reducing unwanted noise and vibration is essential for delivering high-quality products that truly stand out. At Sur-Seal, we’ve been pioneers in developing advanced solutions to combat buzz, squeak, and rattle (BSR). Our expertise in materials engineering enables us to address the most common causes of these issues and provide innovative ways to enhance product quality.

Here are our top five approaches to minimizing noise and vibration:

1. Cushioning: Combating Vibration at Its Source

One of the most effective strategies for tackling vibration is to target it directly at its origin through cushioning. Cushioning materials absorb and dissipate energy, thereby reducing the transfer of vibrations that could otherwise result in noise. In fields like automotive and medical equipment, vibrations can affect both performance and user experience, making it vital to find the right cushioning material.

We at Sur-Seal often use closed-cell foam and rubber materials for cushioning purposes, such as 3M Thinsulate, which offers strong vibration absorption while also meeting durability demands. Closed-cell foams excel in environments exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures due to their resistance to these conditions. By isolating vibrations, cushioning helps prevent mechanical buzz caused by components vibrating in contact.

2. Dampening: Quieting the Sound

While cushioning focuses on vibration, dampening aims to silence the noise generated by vibrating parts. Dampening materials can reduce or eliminate unwanted sounds by absorbing sound waves. Open-cell polyurethane foams are widely used for dampening and are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce noise transmission. This material is commonly found in automotive and HVAC systems where noise pollution can impact comfort and functionality.

At Sur-Seal, we provide a variety of dampening solutions that go beyond open-cell polyurethane. For industries looking for lightweight alternatives with enhanced performance, we recommend non-woven materials. These materials offer a distinct advantage, particularly in areas like aerospace and electronics, where weight reduction is key. Non-woven dampening materials effectively absorb sound while maintaining flexibility in design.

3. Polyurethane Foams & Poly Materials for Robust Vibration Dampening

Polyurethane foams and poly materials present excellent solutions for more intense vibration-dampening needs. These materials are specifically designed to handle varying vibration frequencies, making them ideal for delicate applications such as electronics, where high-frequency vibrations can cause significant disruptions.

Sur-Seal has crafted customized solutions for vibration dampening across multiple sectors, tailoring each approach to the application’s specific requirements. Whether it’s medical devices, which demand precision in both sound and movement control, or automotive systems, where long-term durability against vibration is critical, we ensure that our materials meet all necessary performance and regulatory specifications.

4. Non-Woven Materials: Lightweight & Versatile

When it comes to materials that offer both noise reduction and vibration dampening, non-woven materials are increasingly becoming a preferred choice. These materials are renowned for being lightweight, versatile, and highly customizable. They can perform as well as traditional polyurethane foams while offering additional benefits like weight reduction, which is crucial in industries like aerospace and automotive where every gram matters.

Non-woven materials can be engineered for various applications and combined with other materials to create composite solutions that boost performance and cost-efficiency. At Sur-Seal, we specialize in crafting composite material solutions that leverage the strengths of different materials to cater to each customer’s unique needs.

5. Tailored Solutions Based on Specific Requirements

Every noise and vibration challenge is unique, and the best solution often depends on the specific needs of the application. Our team at Sur-Seal regularly considers the following questions to determine the most suitable noise and vibration reduction solution:

• What frequency of vibration or noise are we aiming to remove or prevent? Understanding the frequency range is essential, as different materials perform better at different frequencies.
• What is the machine or component, and what specifications does it require? This includes understanding if the material needs to comply with specific regulatory requirements, such as UL flammability standards, or withstand environmental factors like UV exposure, moisture, and wind.
• What materials will it need to bond with? Compatibility with other materials is critical, especially in applications where adhesives are used or the material must adhere to specific surfaces.
• What’s the issue at hand? Is the goal to reduce weight or minimize sound levels? Understanding the core problem helps our team recommend the most efficient and effective solution.

Solutions Engineering: A Deep Dive for Optimal Outcomes

At Sur-Seal, we believe that achieving the best possible results requires a thorough examination of the application’s materials and design. Our Engineering Solutions team is committed to conducting comprehensive teardowns of products and systems, helping engineers identify the root cause of noise and vibration issues and providing targeted recommendations. Whether you’re working with complex machinery or sensitive medical devices, we ensure our solutions meet specific technical, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Our solutions engineering process goes beyond merely suggesting off-the-shelf materials. We collaborate closely with your team to evaluate your application’s unique performance factors. For more details on how we engineer customized solutions, visit our Engineering Solutions page.

Sur-Seal’s Sample Program: Test Before You Commit

Selecting the right material or solution can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why Sur-Seal offers a sample program that allows you to test different noise and vibration reduction solutions in your real-world applications. By trying out samples, you can ensure the materials and methods you choose are perfectly suited to your needs before making a full commitment.

Our samples include a wide range of materials, from cushioning foams and dampening materials to non-woven solutions. Explore your options and request a sample today by visiting our Samples Program page.

A Trusted Partner in Finding Solutions

Buzz, squeak, and rattle can significantly diminish your product’s performance and appeal, but the right noise and vibration reduction solutions can eliminate these issues altogether. At Sur-Seal, we bring extensive experience solving noise and vibration challenges across various industries. From cushioning and dampening to using polyurethane foams and non-woven materials, our solutions are tailored to meet each client’s specific needs.

By addressing noise and vibration at the source and selecting materials based on performance and environmental factors, Sur-Seal ensures that your products deliver a quiet, smooth, and reliable experience.

Contact Sur-Seal today to learn more about our noise and vibration reduction solutions or to speak with one of our engineers.