CHAPTER 4

NOISE ABSORBING MATERIALS

4.1 Classification of Noise Absorbing Materials

Porous materials obtain from synthetic fibers such as mineral wool or glass
wool, are commonly used for thermal insulation and sound absorption, because of
their high performance and low cost. Their diffuse-field sound absorption coefficient
is very high at mid-high frequencies. On the other hand, they can be harmful for
human health can cause skin irritation. Motion of the air through the porous material
is necessary to dissipate acoustical energy, a material tends to be ineffective when
placed close to the rigid boundary (where the particle velocity is zero). Effectiveness
of absorption is directly related to the thickness of the material; the absorber are most
effective when their thickness is between one-fourth and one-half the wave length of
the sound, with the maximum performance where the thickness is one-fourth the wave
length. This means that sound absorber do a very good job at high frequencies, which
have short wavelength.
A majority of sustainable materials for noise control can be divided into three
main categories;
 Natural Materials;
 Recycled Materials;
 Mixed and Composited Materials;
There is great variety of natural fibers which can be used for thermal and
acoustical applications. These are commercially available in the found of coconut,
hemp, mineralized wood fibers.
All the materials have some sound absorbing properties. Incident sound
energy which is not absorbed must be reflected, transmitted or dissipated. A
material’s sound absorbing properties can be described as coefficient in a particular
frequency range. The coefficient can be viewed as a sound absorption coefficient in a
particular frequency range. The coefficient can be viewed as a percentage of sound
being absorbed, where 1.00 is complete absorption (100%) and 0.01 is minimal (1%).
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4.1.1 Absorbing Materials

There are three basic categories of sound absorbers, porous materials
commonly formed of matted or spun fibers, panel (membrane) absorber having an
impervious surface mounted over an air-space, and resonators created by holes or
slots connected to an enclosed volume of trapped air. The absorptivity of each type of
sound absorber is dramatically influenced by the mounting method employed.
Power Absorbers – commonly porous absorbers include carpet, draperies, spray-
applied cellulose, aerated plaster, fibrous mineral wool and glass fiber, open-cell
foam, and felted or cast porous ceiling tile. Generally, all of these materials allow air
to flow into a cellular structure where sound energy is converted to heat. Porous
absorbers are the most commonly used sound absorbing materials. Thickness play an
important role in sound absorption by porous materials. Fabric applied directly to a
hard, massive substrate such as plaster or gypsum board does not make an efficient
sound absorber due to the very thin layer of fiber. Thicker materials generally provide
more base sound absorption or damping.
Panel Absorbers – typically, panel absorbers are non-rigid, non-porous materials
which are placed over an airspace that vibrates in a flexural mode in respond to sound
pressure exerted by adjacent air molecules. Common panel (membrane) absorbers
include thin wood paneling over framing lightweight impervious ceilings and floors,
glazing and other large surfaces capable of resonating in respond to sound. Panel
absorbers are usually most efficient at absorbing low frequencies. This fact has been
learned repeatedly on orchestra platforms where thin wood paneling traps most of the
bass sound, robbing the room of “warmth”.
Resonators – Resonator typically act to absorb sound in a narrow frequency range.
Resonators include some perforated materials and materials that have openings (holes
and lots). The resonant frequency is governed by the size of the opening the length of
the neck and the volume of air trapped in the chamber. Typically, perforated materials
only absorb the mid-frequency range unless special care is taken in designing the
facing to be acoustic music production should be viewed with suspicion since the
slots may absorb valuable low frequency energy.
Sound travels as a wave that can either absorb into a surface or reflect off it.
The best types of surfaces for absorbing sounds are ones with jagged surface and
hollow recesses within (much like a sponge or cardboard). The proper object captures
the sound waves and bounces then around within the object until the vibrations
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dwindle. For example, a sponge will absorb sound and muffle vibrations whereas a
marble counter top will reflect sound.
4.2 Acoustic Properties of Building Materials
An acoustic designer is necessary to have a preplanning, mainly for the
building constructions that are prone to noise disturbances.
Now being aware of the acoustic properties of building materials to some
extent would help us to have a right choice on the what material to be selected when
acoustics is a concern factor. Some of them are explained below:
1.Acoustic properties of masonry, concrete or stone materials
Mass and rigidity property are the two factors that make a material to be
highly noise resistant. The concrete wall is highly efficient than masonry. Masonry
material made floor or wall do perform appreciably.
Massive materials like stone, concrete can stop high sound waves that are less
resistant to less massive materials. Concrete slabs do perform good in the sound
insulation activity.
2.Acoustic properties of wood and related products
There are less dense than masonry. They have a smaller performance in sound
isolation. Woods are more massive that are added to certain interior walls to increase
the massiveness. The most common material plywood, which is used in multilayer in
interiors, to make it sound proof.
Mainly wood is used in rooms where perfect sounding is required. It can
reflect sound which can be considered as an important property for sound treatment. It
resonates easily which promotes absorption of sound, some of which pass through the
material and some reflects. Therefore, these are used in making of instruments.
3.Acoustic properties of steel
Based on performance and structure, steel is one of the best materials for
sound insulation. Because of high cost, it has less application. It is highly dense and
massive in nature.
Steel carries the sound through vibration within the material. This sound
transfer is called as the structure-bone vibration. The normal case is airborne vibration
which is not appreciable.
4.Acoustic properties of glass and transparent materials
The glass is massive in nature. There is a new development of absorptive
glass-like materials that have the property to absorb more sound waves instead of
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reflecting. The material is made from Plexiglas or transparent foil thinner in nature
with tiny holes. Their application comes in sound studios.

5.Acoustic insulating materials

Foam, fiberglass rock wool etc. can be considered as the insulating materials
we are familiar. The fiberglass material gains higher sound absorption property.

These materials absorb sound by reducing the velocity of particles that carry
the sound waves in the air. Under low velocity, the pressure is high. Now wood
materials absorb more sound at high pressure.

Sound waves gain higher pressure at room boundaries. So, care must be taken
in the arrangement of boundaries or walls. For multiple boundaries like dihedral or
trihedral walls, the sound waves are at higher pressures.

6.Acoustic properties of rubber and plastic

The known materials are vinyl, neoprene etc. These materials are used to make
low cost economical acoustical devices. But their use is almost considered limited.

They can be used as mechanical isolators for floating glass, by preventing

vibrations of the diaphragm to be transmitted to the walls.

4.3 Studies of Noise Absorbing Materials

All the materials have some sound absorbing properties. They can vary
according to their sizes and thickness. There are four types of noise absorbing
materials that are used in our thesis. They are-

1. Pyramid Soundproof Foam Board

2. SCG Soundproof Zandera Board
3. SCG Soundproof Smart Board
4. Egg Soundproof Foam Board

1. Pyramid Soundproof Foam Board̎

Pyramid sound foam is a perfect soundproofing padding from music studies,

library, hall and various rooms. The base sheet has a protruding four-sided pyramid,
which are mainly responsible for absorbing sound. It reflects noise waves less,
directing it in different directions.
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Fig. 4.1. Pyramid Soundproof Foam Board

Production Information

Name Pyramid Sound Absorbing Foam Board

Size 10 ̎ × 10 ̎ , 12 ̎× 12 ̎ , 1̍-6 ̎ × 1̍-6 ̎

Thickness 1 ̎ , 2 ̎ , 3 ̎ , 4 ̎
NRC 0.35, 0.45, 0.5, 0.65
Colors Red, Gray, White, Black, Blue, Yellow

Feature:
1. High density acoustic foam cell structure for maximum noise absorption
2. Helps to flutter echoes and reduce excess reflections and reverberation
3. Improves vocal clarity and acoustics of the rooms
4. Highly fire retardant
5. Ideal for use in recording studios, home theatres and karaoke room, broadcast
studios, computer rooms
Function:
Pyramid foam provides moderate sound control on walls or ceilings,
especially ones not parallel to the floors. Pyramids foam can be applied in studios,
recording, music rooms, radio stations, TV stations, broadcast studios and more.
Pyramid sound panels combine to absorb echoes within a space, collapsing perimeter
background noise to deliver greater clarity to original sound. Available in 2 ̎, 3 ̎, or 4 ̎
thickness, the thicker panels attack more low frequency noise. Installation for pyramid
foams are simple and easy. They can be glued directly to the walls or ceilings. The
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panels are symmetrical, producing continuous alignment across a wall or ceiling

expanse.
2. SCG Soundproof Zandera Board
Zandera acoustic board is a non-combustible glass wool super rigid board,
laminated with glass tissue four-edges coated with special polymetric substance.

Fig. 4.2. SCG Soundproof Zandera Board

Product Information
Name SCG Soundproof Zandera Board
Size 2̍ × 4̍, 2̍ × 2̍, 2̍ × 8 ̎, 2̍ × 4 ̎, 1̍ × 1̍, 1̍ × 2̍, 1̍ × 8 ̎, 1̍ × 4 ̎
Thickness 25mm
NRC 0.75
Colors Jet Black, Gray, Orange, Red, Blue, White

Feature:
1. Excellent sound absorption
2. Long life performance
3. Easy to install
4. Various size
5. Colorful
Function:
SCG Soundproof Zandera Board is designed to easily apply to many types of
wall with adhesive and suitable for many types of room with our own designs such as
home theater, living room, music room, conference hall, hotel and office, etc. Zandera
acoustic panel is a non-combustible glass wool super rigid board, laminated with
white glass tissue four edges cooled with special polymeric substance and wrapped
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with various colors of decorate for choosing upon customer design. Zandera performs
excellent sound absorption and reduce sound reverberation in the room. SCG Zandera
can be easily installed. Firstly, it is needed to draw lines on the wall and balance the
bottom of Zandera for balancing and put the Zandera board on the clean wall and use
high power glue with spacing 10 cm.

3. SCG Soundproof Smart Board

SCG Smart Board is a new generation of fiber cement materials with FIRM
and FLEX Technology made the Elephant (SCG) Portland cement, silica and special
cellulose fiber through autoclave process, is special designed for various ceiling, wall
and flooring applications both internal and external usage.

Fig. 4.3. SCG Soundproof Smart Board

Product Information

Name SCG Soundproof Smart Board

Size 8 ̍ × 4 ̍
Thickness 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm
STC 62
Colors White

Feature:
1. High impact strength
2. Lasting durability
3. Neat finishing
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Function:
SCG Soundproof Smart Board is the most suitable choice for external and
internal wall and partition, especially in the construction of housing extended or
renovated area. Installation of SCG smart board need Galvanize frame which provide
strength, safety. Needle point screw 10mm is used to fix smart board and galvanize
frame. And polyurethane joint sealant used to seal the joint which can well prevent
the leakage

4. Egg Soundproof Foam Board

Egg Soundproof Foam Board is a lightweight materials made from

polyurethane foam either polyether or polyester. The foam has egg shaped, which are
mainly responsible for absorbing sound. It reflects noise waves less, directing it in
different directions. They are widely used in recording studios, cinema, many other
industrial, commercial applications and various rooms.

Fig. 4.4. Egg Soundproof Foam Board

Product Information

Name Egg Soundproof Foam Board

Size 12 ̎ × 12 ̎, 48 ̎ × 72 ̎, 72 ̎ × 80 ̎
Thickness 1 ̎ , 2 ̎
NRC 0.49, 0.65
Colors Charcoal, Gray, Pink, Purple, Red, Blue
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Feature:
1. Absorb sound generated at low, mid and high frequencies, making them
perfect for recording or listening environments.
2. Lightweight, affordable
3. Easy to install
4. Flexible and easy to cut
5. Save our time and money
Function:
Egg Soundproof Foam panels are one of our most economical soundproofing
options and use them to acoustically treat a professional or home recording studio,
library, convocation hall, and home theater room. Egg sound foam boards are
lightweight and can be attached to a variety all surfaces. No special tools or materials
are needed for installation. They can be glued directly to the walls or ceilings.

4.4 Advantages of Noise Absorbing Materials

Setting up noise absorbing object around a room can help muffle the noise and
make a room more pleasant. Installing noise absorbing materials can offer a number
of advantages for both employee and customers that will ultimately benefits business.
Soundproofing can improve acoustic quality, reduce stress, a welcoming environment,
improve productivity and improve safety and privacy.

4.5 Disadvantages of Noise Absorbing Materials

The discomfort faced by the occupant residing or using it, have to go for
redesigning the building for noise insulation. So, it is always necessary to have a
preplanning, mainly for the building constructions that are prone to noise
disturbances.
Soundproof walls can take spaces and a room won’t get needed spaces. That is
the disadvantages of noise absorbing materials.