ABSTRACT
The Visco-Elastic behavior of polyurethane polymers provide for a delayed and impact rate dependent response to an applied stress and makes them desirable in parts designed for specific energy management (EM).
Polyurethane Visco-elastic (VE) foams have not found, till now, a significant success in automotive interior applications due to a notable loss of some essential properties like softness and general “friendliness” towards contact with human body at low temperature and substantially reduced VE property at elevated temperatures.
The Woodbridge Group® has developed a new visco-elastic polyurethane foam (SVE foam) that demonstrates some truly unique capabilities. As an important part of a complete assembly, SVE foam, marketed under IntelliSense™ helps meet the energy absorption requirement in head restraint regulation (ECE 25), and may help mitigate the impact forces and momentum associated with whiplash injuries. This new material has VE properties and consequent impact-rate sensitivity over a greater temperature range, while providing good energy absorption and suitable recoverability as compared to traditional HR.
The poster is intended to complement the information provided in our, paper entitled: ”Automotive, Moulded Visco-Elastic Foam” P. Farkas at al., Polyurethanes Expo 2001) and to underline the key aspects of this advancement for both the polyurethane and automotive industries.
This novel approach to visco-elastic foams will benefit energy management automotive applications like head restraint, seat occupant safety, sound or vibration attenuation, etc.
