Headliner
Encyclopedia
A headliner is a composite material
that is adhered to the inside roof of automobiles or yachts. It typically consists of a face fabric with nonwoven or foam backing. Headliners consist of multilayered composite materials that bring together multiple functionalities, including the requested look, feel, stiffness, and sound reduction needed in cars. Automotive headliner is optimised with respect to head impact counter measure or to integrate additional lighting behind the fabric. Most headliners consists of a tricot knit fabric that is knapped to provide a soft touch and uniform appearance. The fabric is adhered with melted polyurethane
foam. This fabric-foam composite is glued to the interior fiberglass roof of the automobile.
There are more complex knit products used as a face fabric, as well as less expensive non-woven products. Recent headliner developments include environmentally-friendly products made of recyclable backing-adhesive and face fabric.
In yachts, foam-backed vinyl is often used.
Similar vinyl headlining in boats does this too, but with less predictability.
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
that is adhered to the inside roof of automobiles or yachts. It typically consists of a face fabric with nonwoven or foam backing. Headliners consist of multilayered composite materials that bring together multiple functionalities, including the requested look, feel, stiffness, and sound reduction needed in cars. Automotive headliner is optimised with respect to head impact counter measure or to integrate additional lighting behind the fabric. Most headliners consists of a tricot knit fabric that is knapped to provide a soft touch and uniform appearance. The fabric is adhered with melted polyurethane
Polyurethane
A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...
foam. This fabric-foam composite is glued to the interior fiberglass roof of the automobile.
There are more complex knit products used as a face fabric, as well as less expensive non-woven products. Recent headliner developments include environmentally-friendly products made of recyclable backing-adhesive and face fabric.
In yachts, foam-backed vinyl is often used.
Replacements
When a headliner fails, it sags or falls from the roof. Repairs may involve tacking or replacing the entire headliner. Heat, humidity, and time rapidly degrade the bond that the polyurethane foam has on the face fabric. As the foam oxidizes and yellows, the fabric-foam bond fails. This failure is more common in cars produced in the 1970s.Similar vinyl headlining in boats does this too, but with less predictability.