Ford to Use Graphene to Minimize Engine Noise

Ford is experimenting with the use of graphene to minimize engine noise. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms, and it could be used in applications across many industries. It is recognized for its qualities of strength and conductivity, but Ford says that using it under the hood in very small amounts can help reduce unwanted cabin noise. This discovery is the outcome of research that Ford has been engaged in from 2014.

The team at Ford came up with ways to use tiny amounts of graphene in components like the covers for the fuel rail, engine and various pumps. They found that using even half a percent’s worth of graphene when it is mixed types of foam can reduce unwanted noises. According to Ford, the new parts will not have any change in appearance but they can reduce noise by 17 percent and improve heat endurance by 30 percent.

Generally, adding such covers adds weight and can have an impact on fuel economy. In this case, as graphene is a lightweight material, the use of components having graphene can actually contribute to light weighting as their weight will be lower than that of the parts they replace. Ford made the parts having graphene as a component in collaboration with two other companies, Eagle Industries and XG Sciences.

Ford says it will not take long for such components to be used in mass production vehicles. They are expected to enter production by the end of the year, and will first be used in the Mustang and F-150 and eventually rolled out to other models.