HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY

HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

ANGELES CITY

A Study of Comparison between Egg Carton and Foam as an Alternative

Soundproofing Material

An Investigatory Project

Presented to

Mr. Ronald De Leon

As a Final Requirement in Science and Technology 10

By:

Bautista, Ely Gabriel

Mariano, Jamiel
Torres, Justin Dominic
10 Colossians

MARCH 16, 2016

ABSTRACT

A Study of
Comparison between
Egg Carton and Foam
as an Alternative
Soundproofing
Material

Background Information

Soundproofing is the process of blocking sound waves using a certain

medium. Processes to successfully absorb sound are the following: increasing
the distance between a source and receiver, using sound baffles, activating antinoise sound generators, and using sound barriers.
The said process originated at a time on or before the 1970s. It was an
issue then to control sounds especially in live performances. Then, Dr. Manfred
Schroeder entered the picture. He designed a display in which sound is scattered
rather than eliminated. In his process, instead of manipulating the room in
general, he used a system related to crowd control.
Years after the crowd control process, absorption was a process they
used. They were able to absorb sound by installing fibreglass batts with burlap
coating. Schools then used to glue acoustical tile or carpet to the walls.
After absorption, diffusion became popular especially among popular
stars. They used mechanisms called polycylindrical diffusers. This innovation
was short-lived for installing such required a lot of time and labor. Sometime, it
endangered an installers life.
Since diffusion wasnt as safe as they thought it would be, discos started
to use drum platforms filled with sand. It was then decoupled to the floor.

Fast forward to our time, today's technological advancements, a lot of

materials were produced to create a successful sound barrier. Acoustic foams,
honeycomb air chambers, and the like; are just some examples of these
advancements but how can we achieve this soundproofing phenomenon using
household materials?
Egg cartons are commercialized and widespread materials. As the name
suggests, egg cartons are used to hold eggs. These egg cartons are hollow in
shape and can be made from: pulp turned to papier-mch, polysterene foam
and plastic. Specifically, papier-mch egg cartons were already used to barrier
certain noise.It was only rejected because of its flammability.
On the other hand, rubber foams also known as cellular, sponge, or
expanded rubber were also labeled as an effective soundproofing material. It
consists of mainly polyurethane or latex foam, it is a porous substances and air
filled matrix. Commonly used as a cushioning medium for a lot of furniture, foams
were already used as a soundproofing device in the early stages of
soundproofing.
Both household materials were said to be soundproof-able, through this
experiment, we will see if which of the two would work better as a substitute
sound barrier.

Statement of the Problem:

General Objective:
To be able to identify which soundproofing material is more effective, egg carton
or foam. Moreover, to compare the sound absorption capabilities of both
materials and to test their effectiveness on actual sound testing.
Specific Objectives:
1. Does the thickness of the material affect the soundproofing ability?
2. Does the size of the box influence the overall soundproof performance of

3.

the two materials?

Does the sound pressure from the speaker influence the result?

Hypotheses:
1. If the thickness of egg carton and egg foam is more compact, the sound
pressure will be reduced.
2. If the size of the box is smaller, there would be more frequency of sound
recorded.
3. If the sound pressure from the speaker is higher, there will be more
frequency of sound recorded

Significance of the Study:

Legitimate soundproofing materials such as acoustic foams and baffles
require materials that are complex and hard to find. Through this study, the
researchers can achieve and prove an alternative soundproofing materials not
only lessening biological or computer wastes but also helps in the reduce, reuse,
and recycle mentality to also help in the advocacy against environmental
degradation. With these reasons alone, the researchers study is truly important
and significant.

Volume

Decibels

Volume

Decibels

75%

63

75%

60

100%

72

100%

69

Egg Carton

Observation and Interpretation

Large Box
Foam

Volume

Decibels

Decibels

75%

73

75%

68

100%

79

100%

76

Small Box
Egg Carton

Foam

As was seen in the experiment, the decibels recorded from the small box are
higher than the decibels recorded from the large box. The decibels recorded from
the boxes with foam are lower than the boxes with egg carton. Also, as the
volume was increased, the amount of decibels recorded also increased.

Materials and Procedures:

Materials:
Egg Carton
EggFoam
Speaker with Bluetooth
WoodenBox (8 x 8 x 8)
Wooden Box (15 x 15 x 15)
Phone with music and Bluetooth
Phone with Recorder/ Recording Device
Procedure:
1. Prepare the materials
2. Connect your phone to the speaker
3. Cover the two boxes internally with eggfoam
4. Place the speaker inside the box
5. With first box covered with egg foam, Use a phone recorder to record the
sound and to determine its intensity then set it to 75% volume and record it; lastly
set it to 100% volume and record it
6. Then do the same with the second box

7. After recording, change the egg foam cover of both boxes to egg carton

8. With first box covered with egg foam. Use a phone recorder to record the
sound and to determine its intensity then set it to 75% volume and record it; lastly
set it to 100% volume and record it
9. Then do the same with the second box
10. Compare the sound waves or frequency from the data gathered in the two
setups
11. Conclude.

Conclusion
We, the researchers, conclude and affirm that we have met the necessary
objectives of this experiment. It is proven, that the compactness of the material
used, may it be egg carton or foam, affects greatly on the soundproofing ability; a
thicker layer results to a greater soundproofing ability. The size of the area also
affected. A larger area resulted to a more soundproof environment. For the
epitome of our research we have found out that foam works better as a
soundproofing medium than egg carton for a lining of foam gave us a recording
of less decibels, thus, less sound.
Recommendations
1. The researchers recommend the use of high end recording devices so that the
decibels recorded will be more accurate
2. The researchers recommend that you use different sizes of foam and egg
carton in terms of thickness to get more specific results.
3. The researchers recommend that you use different foams of unique material to
see if there is a difference in the amount of decibels recorded.

Same process repeated with the

small box

Foam being attached in the large

box

Phone or speaker placed in the

box with large box with foam

Repeat the same process with the

small box

Decibels being recorded with a

use of another phone and. Sound
controlled by the tablet

Documentation

Two sizes of boxes

Phone or speaker placed in the

large box

Egg carton being attached in the

large box

Decibels being recorded with a use

of another phone and. Sound
controlled by the tablet