Experimental Survey of the Sound Absorption Performance of Natural Fibres in Comparison with Conventional Insulating Materials

Veronika Gumanová, Lýdia Sobotová, Tibor Dzuro, Miroslav Badida and Marek Moravec
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Veronika Gumanová: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
Lýdia Sobotová: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
Tibor Dzuro: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
Miroslav Badida: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
Marek Moravec: Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to investigate the acoustic properties of natural fibres and compare them with the values achieved by common insulation materials used in the construction of buildings. Three materials based on biomass were used for testing, namely cork, hemp and fibreboard. From the group of conventional materials, mineral wool, propylat and polyurethane foam were selected. For the purpose of determining the values of the sound absorption coefficient (α), the absorber specimens were tested using the impedance tube and two microphones method, according to standard ISO 10534-2. The measurement was performed for thicknesses of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm. The highest sound absorption of all materials was measured with a hemp sample at a frequency of 2000 Hz (α = 0.99) and a thickness of 20 mm. The lowest performance was achieved by cork at the same thickness and frequency of 100 Hz (α = 0.02). Among biomass materials, hemp dominated in the entire frequency range and at all thicknesses. The lowest values were for cork, from 160 to 500 Hz with a tendency to exceed the values of the fibreboard sample. Among conventional materials, mineral wool achieved the best results, while the lowest values were recorded for propylat with the occasional exception of the highest frequencies from 1600 to 2500 Hz.

Keywords: natural fibres; impedance tube; ecological building materials; sound absorption coefficient; environmental impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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