Polyurethane foams formed under vacuum (below atmospheric pressure)
conditions using primarily graft polyether polyols reacted with primarily
toluene diisocyanate have lower densities (up to 1.3 lb/ft.sup.3), lower
hardness (IFD.sub.25=up to 50 lbs), and exhibit superb thermoformability
and fire retardance while retaining good sound insulating
characteristics. The foam-forming ingredients are mixed together and
foamed under controlled pressures in the range 0.5 to 0.95 bar
(absolute). Such foams taken alone, or in combination with a barrier
layer to form a laminate, are thermoformed to create a sound insulator
for a motor vehicle instrument panel.