Acoustic Materials

ACOUSTIC MATERIALS
INTRODUCTION:
 All materials can absorb sound energy to an extent. However,
materials that are specifically noted as sound-absorbing will absorb
most of the sound energy that collides with them.
 These specialized materials are usually referred to as "acoustical
materials" and they are designed to have high absorption qualities.
 The major use of these materials is to reduce reverberant sound
pressure levels. This leads to a reduction of overall reverberation in
a space
Soundproofing vs. Sound-Absorbing: What’s the difference?

When it comes to acoustics, there are two different options:
 You can absorb the reverberant energy that sound creates within a
space.
 You can prevent the transmission of sound energy.
The former is referred to as sound-absorbing and the latter is known as soundproofing.

 Sound-absorbing materials will absorb most of the sound energy that collides with them and will
reflect very little.
 These qualities make them useful in the control of noise within a space or enclosure.
 They are used in a variety of locations: close to the source of the noise, paths , or close to
receivers.
 Soundproofing a space involves four concepts: adding mass, damping, decoupling, and absorbing.
 In practice, sound absorption is a form of soundproofing.
 The materials used to soundproof are usually dense and heavy, which allows them to decouple
structures.
 Thanks to their density, instead of sound waves penetrating through the structure, they are
reflected back into the space.
Types of Sound Absorbing Materials

There are three primary types of sound absorbers: porous, membrane, and resonance.
 POROUS ABSORBERS:
 Materials with a high sound absorption coefficient are
usually porous.
 Unlike soundproofing materials, sound absorbent
materials aren't dense, they're permeable. Sound waves
penetrate the surface of these materials, and flow into
the fibrous or cellular structure that it's comprised of.
 When porous sound absorbers are used, only a small
portion of the sound energy is reflected back into the
space.
• Porous sound absorbers are most effective for mid-range frequencies or treble tones.
They tend to have less effect towards lower frequencies and have minimal effect with
bass.
• Common examples of porous sound absorbers include mineral wool, carpets,
fibreboards, insulation blankets, and certain forms of foam plastic.
 Membrane/Plate Absorbers:
 A membrane or plate absorber is an air impervious, non-
rigid, non-porous material that's placed over an airspace.
 When sound energy is applied to the absorber it causes the
oscillating system to transform into mechanical energy.
 They are particularly effective against low-range
frequencies, such as bass.
 They also will reflect higher frequency sounds. Other forms
of soundproofing and absorbing will need to be applied to
counter-act this added effect.
 Common examples of membrane absorbers are wood or hardboard panelling, suspended plaster
ceilings, windows, wood doors, gypsum boards, and wood floors.
 Resonate/Resonance Absorbers
 These types of sound absorbers are typically only used

when you need to combat sound in a narrow, yet defined
frequency range.
 They're used to focus on issues related to bass
frequencies.
 They work in a similar manner to that of a membrane absorber. Meaning they consist
of a mechanical oscillation system with a solid plate and tight air space.
 An example of a resonance absorber would be a bottle of Coca-Cola. However, a more
practical example would be layers of perforated plasterboard or perforated metal
corrugated sheets. Where the perforations are the bottle's neck and the space behind
the sheets are the bottle's container.
 Carpets and Area Rugs

 Carpets and area rugs can help to absorb
impact noise and prevent the transmission of
sound through structures. For instance footfalls
through shared floors/ceilings.
 If you have the budget, installing wall to wall
carpet with a sound deadening underlayment is
your best option.
 However, wall-to-wall carpet is expensive. A
good substitute are thick area rugs with a layer
of mass loaded vinyl (MLV) affixed to the
bottom. They add mass to the floor and prevent
structure-borne noise.
 Acoustic curtains:
 Blackout curtains are good for reducing the noise coming in or
getting out from windows and doors.
 Use them in a bedroom, home theatre, nursery, or wherever a little
quiet is needed.
 A typical acoustic curtain uses quality, heavyweight, plush fabrics
combined soundproofing materials like mass loaded vinyl to
dampen sound and reduce echo.
 Industrial noise can be controlled with the installation of sound curtains. These curtains are made
of quilted fiberglass or Rockwool layers, sandwiched over mass loaded vinyl. These curtains are
stiffer than most and hung on frames making them mobile and easy to surround a particularly
noisy piece of equipment or area.
 For the home, acoustic curtains are meant to improve the sound in a room, as opposed to blocking
sound from leaving or entering.
 Acoustic foam panels:

 Acoustic foam panels are made of soft, porous material that feature
notches or cups. Hang them on walls, doors, or ceilings so that
instead of sound waves reflecting off these surfaces, they'll be
absorbed within the porous material.
 Acoustic foam panels come in a variety of sizes and colours. For
improved visual appeal, choose a few different colours and hang
them in a pattern on the surface you are applying them to.
 Acoustic partition:
 Acoustic partition they don’t do a lot to block out
sound, they do offer great sound absorption
capabilities.
 These partitions are made of sturdy structural
materials that are covered with porous fabrics that act
as sound absorbers.
 Essentially, they act as a large piece of soft furniture in
the middle of an open room.

Acoustic Materials

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Acoustic Materials

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Acoustic Materials

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ACOUSTIC MATERIALS

Soundproofing vs. Sound-Absorbing: What’s the difference?

The former is referred to as sound-absorbing and the latter is known as soundproofing.

Types of Sound Absorbing Materials

 These types of sound absorbers are typically only used

 Carpets and Area Rugs

 Acoustic foam panels:

You might also like