Automotive felt parts: anti-rattle strips and gaskets
- Black needle-punched polyester felt, 1-3mm thick.
- Acrylic adhesive backing on a peel-off liner.
- Cut in an IATF 16949 certified plant, from 100 pieces.
Automotive felt parts are thin felt strips and gaskets that stop squeak, rattle and buzz where interior trim, panels and brackets touch. Feltrova cuts them from black needle-punched polyester felt, 1-3mm thick, with acrylic adhesive backing, in an IATF 16949 certified plant. Orders start at 100 pieces.
Where do felt anti-rattle parts go in a vehicle?
A felt anti-rattle strip goes wherever two hard parts touch and move against each other a little.
On a car interior that usually means plastic trim meeting a metal panel, a clip or bracket behind a panel, or a lid closing on its frame. A thin layer of polyester felt between the two surfaces takes up the movement, so the parts stop knocking and squeaking over rough roads.
- Anti-rattle strips: long narrow strips stuck along a panel edge or a trim joint.
- Felt gaskets and pads: die-cut shapes with holes or slots that sit between a part and its mounting face.
Why black needle-punched polyester felt?
Needle-punched polyester felt is the usual material for automotive anti-rattle parts because a car interior sees damp, heat and long service. Polyester felt copes better with damp than wool, resists mildew and runs continuously at up to 300°F (149°C). Black felt also disappears behind dark trim if an edge shows.
| Condition | Polyester felt | SAE wool felt |
|---|---|---|
| Damp and mildew | Good | Poor |
| Continuous temperature | Up to 149°C (300°F) | -62 to 93°C (-80 to 200°F) |
| Typical automotive job | Anti-rattle strips and gaskets | Oil-holding seals |
Wool still has its place where a part must hold oil. The SAE wool felt grade chart covers those grades.
How are automotive felt strips and gaskets made?
Every automotive felt part starts as a roll of black polyester felt with acrylic adhesive laminated to one side.
- Laminating: acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and a peel-off liner are bonded to the felt roll.
- Slitting: the roll is cut into narrow widths for strips.
- Cutting: strips are cut to length, and gaskets are die cut with their holes and slots in the same stroke.
- Checking: parts are checked against the approved sample before packing.
Shaped parts follow the same route as our die-cut felt gaskets. The machines behind each step are listed on the felt converting plant page.
What does FMVSS 302 mean for a felt part?
FMVSS 302 is the US federal standard for how fast interior materials in a passenger car, truck or bus may burn. Any material within 13mm of the occupant compartment air space must not burn faster than 102mm (4in) per minute in a horizontal flame test (49 CFR 571.302).
Feltrova holds FMVSS-302 test reports. A report covers the material that was tested, so we confirm it matches your felt and thickness before you rely on it. A change of felt, thickness or adhesive needs that check again.
What quality system covers automotive orders?
Automotive felt parts are cut under the same quality system as everything else in the plant: IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certification, plus RoHS and REACH test reports. The Feltrova company overview gives the plant size, staff and history since 2004.
What should you send for a quote?
- A drawing (PDF, DWG, DXF or STEP), or a sample part
- Felt type and thickness, or the OEM material specification
- Adhesive backing: yes or no
- Sample quantity and yearly volume
Parts that are not strips or gaskets, such as blocks and buffers, go through our custom felt parts service.
Automotive felt FAQ
What are the disadvantages of felt for automotive parts?
Felt absorbs water and does not seal liquid under pressure, so it is not a weather seal. Wool felt also suffers in damp, which is why most automotive strips use polyester felt.
How thick are automotive felt anti-rattle strips?
Most are 1-3mm. Thicker felt can fill a wider gap, but it takes more space behind the trim.
Can you match an anti-rattle strip I already use?
Yes. Send a sample and we measure it, suggest a felt and cut a matching sample.
What is the minimum order for automotive felt parts?
100 pieces per part. Samples ship in three days after approval, and production takes about 20 days.
How much do automotive felt parts cost?
It depends on felt grade, size, quantity and any adhesive backing. Send a drawing or a sample and we reply with a price within one working day. Sample charges vary by part and are set out in the quote. The minimum order is 100 pieces per part.
Get automotive felt parts quoted
Send the drawing or a sample, the felt thickness and your yearly volume. Samples ship in three days.