High-Frequency Dynamic Stiffness Measurements of Automotive Elastomers for Electric Vehicles

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has intensified the demand for advanced elastomeric materials capable of meeting stringent noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) requirements. Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs lack traditional masking noise generated by the powertrain. In the automotive industry, the dynamic stiffness of elastomers in internal combustion engines has traditionally been determined using hydraulic test rigs, with test frequencies limited to a maximum of 1,000 Hz. Measurements above this frequency range have not been possible and are conducted only through computerized FE or CAE calculation models. Electric drive systems, however, generate distinct tonal noise components in the high-frequency range up to 10,000 Hz, which are clearly perceptible even at low sound pressure levels. Consequently, the dynamic stiffness characteristics of elastomers up to 3,000 Hz are critical for optimizing NVH performance in EVs. This study focuses on high-frequency dynamic stiffness testing of automotive elastomers using a specialized high-frequency test rig. According to ISO 10846-1 [1], there are two methods for determining the dynamic stiffness of elastomers: the direct method (part 2) and the indirect method (part 3). This paper presents measurements carried out using the direct method, employing an electrodynamic shaker and applying static preload conditions. The objective is to accurately determine the frequency-dependent dynamic stiffness and damping properties of elastomeric components, such as engine mounts, bushings, and isolators, which play a crucial role in mitigating structure-borne noise and vibrations.