Minivan Monday: Natural Product Helps Quiet the All-New Chrysler Pacifica

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is quieter, naturally.

Designers of the all-new minivan used a soy-based foam to keep noise from entering the passenger cabin of the Pacifica.

The plant-based foam blocks unwanted noise from entering the vehicle cabin while also saving on the overall weight of the minivan. The soy foam has a lower density than conventional acoustic material and weighs less.

Since it is lighter, the foam provides yet another weight savings to the Pacifica, which is nearly 250 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

In addition to being lighter, the soy-based product offers some characteristics not found in petroleum-based products normally used in such materials. The soy foam has a lower viscosity and a longer shelf life than traditional acoustic materials.

The new foam also allows greater logistical flexibility for the plant because its six-month shelf life is two times longer than that of commonly used foam.

This new body sealer was developed and supplied by Dow Automotive Systems. In addition to being lighter, the lower density requires less foam to be used to achieve the desired performance, and it reduces costs.

The soy foam was first used on vehicles at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, and most recently on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Crews were also able to adapt existing equipment to accommodate the injection process with the new foam.

To learn more about the Pacifica, visit the minivan’s website.