Sound Absorption

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Industrial Textiles
Investigation on sound absorption properties for recycled fibrous materials

Hoda Soliman Seddeq, Nermin M Aly, Ali Marwa A and M H Elshakankery
Journal of Industrial Textiles published online 7 May 2012
DOI: 10.1177/1528083712446956
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DOI: 10.1177/1528083712446956
absorption properties for jit.sagepub.com
recycled fibrous materials
Hoda Soliman Seddeq1, Nermin M Aly2, Ali Marwa A2

and M H Elshakankery2
Abstract
Acoustic is currently one of the most important fields of study. Recently, many studies
have been carried out in this field and new findings have uncovered the potential use of
new materials for sound absorption applications. This paper investigated the sound
absorption properties for recycled fibrous materials including natural fibers, synthetic
fibers and agricultural lignocellulosic fibers. Nonwovens produced from recycled natural
fibers blended with synthetic fibers have been tested acoustically. Also, biocomposites
from agriculture wastes such as rice straw and sawdust have been investigated. The
results indicated that nonwoven samples have high sound absorption coefficients at high
frequencies (2000–6300 Hz), low sound absorption coefficients at low frequencies
(100–400 Hz) and better sound absorption coefficients at mid (500–1600 Hz) frequen-
cies. The sound absorption coefficients at all frequency ranges improved by increasing
the thickness of nonwovens. Also, adding air space behind the sample improved the
sound absorption at low and mid frequencies. The tested rice straw and sawdust com-
posite samples achieved low sound absorption at low and mid frequencies. However,
they have slightly high sound absorption at high frequencies. A significant improvement
in sound absorbing performance at low, mid and high frequencies was achieved by
adding perforation of 6% for the tested sample and increasing the thickness of non-
woven samples. Adding air spaces behind the tested composite systems could improve
the sound absorption at low and mid frequencies. Generally, the results indicated that
recycled fibrous materials hold promise for use as raw material for sound absorbing,
being low cost, lightweight and biodegradability.
1
Building Physics, Cairo, Egypt
2
National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
Corresponding author:
Hoda Soliman Seddeq, Building Physics, 87 Tahreer St., Dokki, Cairo, 11511 Egypt
Email: hudasoliman@yahoo.com

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2 Journal of Industrial Textiles 0(00)
Keywords
Sound absorption coefficient, recycling, nonwovens, needle punched, biocomposites,
rice straw, sawdust
Introduction
Due to noise pollution in many places in Egypt, there is a great need to find new
sound-absorbing materials that are capable of reducing the noise level at various
frequency ranges. Acoustical material plays a number of roles that are important in
acoustic engineering such as control of room acoustics, industrial noise control,
studio acoustics and automotive acoustics. Sound absorptive materials are gener-
ally used to counteract the undesirable effects of sound reflection by hard, rigid and
interior surfaces and thus help to reduce the reverberant noise levels [1,2]. Also,
they are used as interior lining for apartments, automotives, aircrafts, ducts and
enclosures for noise equipments and insulations for appliances [2,3]. Also, sound-
absorbing materials should always be used in conjunction with barriers and inside
enclosures to improve their effectiveness [4].
The common sound-absorptive materials are made from synthetic fibers that are
hazardous to human health and environment and quite expensive for small need.
Therefore, some researchers showed their great interest in trying to make an alter-
native sound absorber from recycled materials [5].
Many studies focused in developing natural fibers, such as palm, kenaf, coconut,
coir and many others fibers that have potential to be used as raw or waste material
for sound absorption and sound insulation applications [6–9]. Zulkifli et al. had
studied the effect of perforated size and air gap thickness on acoustic properties of
coir fiber on sound absorption [10]. Paddy straw was investigated and reported
suitable for acoustic panel because of its high elasticity and hollow space [11,12].
Porous materials used for sound absorption may be fibrous or cellular. Fibrous
materials may be in the form of mats, board or preformed elements manufactured
of glass, mineral or organic fiber (natural or man made) and include felts and felted
textile [1]. The kinetic energy of the sound is converted to heat energy when the
sound strikes the fibers. Hence, the sound disappears after striking the material due
to its conversion into heat. The main reasons for the acoustic energy loss when
sound passes through sound-absorbing materials are due to frictional losses,
momentum losses and temperature fluctuations. Various parameters influence the
sound losses of sound energy in fibrous materials. Number, size and type of pores
are the important factors that affect the sound absorption. To allow sound dissi-
pation by friction, the sound wave has to enter the porous material. This means,
there should be enough pores on the surface of the material for the sound to pass
through and get dampened [13]. One of the most important qualities that influence
the sound-absorbing characteristics of a nonwoven fabric is the air flow resistance
of the material. Fibers interlacement in nonwovens are the frictional elements that
provide resistance to acoustic wave motion. In general, when sound enters these

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Seddeq et al. 3
materials, its amplitude is decreased by friction as the waves try to move through
the tortuous passages. Thus, the acoustic energy is converted into heat [14].
Using biofibers can address the ecological and economical concerns of the indus-
trial materials [15]. Cotton and jute are very important fibers in Egypt, also wool is
one of the most widely used textile fibers that is often blended with less-expensive
fibers to reduce the cost of the fabric or to extend its use. Synthetic fibers such as
polyester and polypropylene have great uses in the industry. Their staple forms can
be blended with many other fibers contributing desirable properties to the blend
without destroying those of the other fibers [16].
Lignocellulosic fibers from agriculture wastes such as rice straw and wood fibers
have also great uses in the industry which help in reducing the negative impacts on
the environment. In Egypt, after harvest of the rice crops, the fields must be cleaned
and prepared for the next winter cultivation. The rice straw is usually burned soon
after threshing. The uncontrolled burning of huge amounts of rice straw causes
severe air pollution and leads to the formation of the ‘‘Black Cloud’’ [17,18]. Wood
fiber wastes such as sawdust are mostly used in the thermoplastics industry. The
scrap wood is sourced for species purity and then ground to specific particle size
distributions. The specific but broad particle size distribution in commercial saw-
dust varies among manufacturers [19].
Nonwoven fabric technology is the most modern branch of the textile industry
and it embodies both old and very new processing techniques and materials [20,21].
Since 1970, the nonwoven industry has observed a phenomenal growth mainly
because of a close alliance among nonwoven producers, fiber producers, binder
producers and machinery manufacturers. There are many nonwoven manufacturing
processes and products that have been developed and commercialized in recent years
[22]. Nonwovens are used in variety of purposes due to their advantages: light-
weight, sound efficiency, flexibility, versatility and easily tailored properties, recyc-
lability, low process and materials costs [23]. Needle punching is by far the most
versatile and commonly used method of bonding fibers accounting for 20–25% of
nonwovens. It is carried out through passing a number of needles with barbs,
mounted in a board, through the batt at a high reciprocating speed. The needles
are usually triangular in cross-section with barbs at the three edges. The extent of
fiber bonding depends upon punch density, depth of needle penetration, needle type,
shape, size and angle, barb shape and fiber characteristics [24].
The aim of the present work is to investigate the sound-absorption properties of
various nonwovens produced from recycled fibers and biocomposites to benefit
from these wastes which have a negative effect on the environment.
Experimental methods and materials

Nonwoven samples
The nonwoven samples used in this study were brought from Egyptex Company,
they were manufactured from recycled fibers and produced by using random

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Table 1. Physical properties of the tested nonwoven samples.
Air
Sample Fabric material Thickness Weight Density permeability
ID type Blend ratio (mm) (g/m2) (g/cm3) (cm3/cm2/s)
S1 Polyester, wool, 70% 3.7 534.3 0.1444 98.31

cotton (Polyester) + 20%
(cotton and wool)
S2 Polypropylene, 80% 3.66 421.82 0.1153 128.4
cotton, wool (Polypropylene)
+ 20% (cotton and
wool)
S3 Cotton, 50%, 50% 2.53 408 0.1613 97.9
polyester
S4 Jute 100% 5.64 560.9 0.0994 144.35
distribution for the fibers in the web and connected them together by mechanical
bonding using the needle punched technique. The nonwoven samples were put in
standard testing temperature (20 C 2 C) and humidity (65% 2%) for 24 hours
according to ASTM standard before testing. The physical properties of the fabrics
were tested at the testing laboratory in the textile division, National Research
Center. The fabric samples were tested for the following parameters: The weight
test was performed on an electronic balance with a capacity of 0.001 g according to
ASTM D-1910 [25]. Fabric thickness gauge was used for measuring the fabric
thickness under 2 KN load with capacity of 0.01 mm according to ASTM D-
1777 [26]. Air permeability test was performed on fabric samples according to
ASTM D- 737 [27]. The physical properties of the nonwoven fabric samples used
in this study are summarized in Table 1.
Lignocellulosic fibers composite samples

The agricultural lignocellulosic fibers used in this study were rice straw and wood
fibers. Rice straw was cut into sections and then crushed into fine particles. Sawdust
is a by-product produced commercially from post-industrial sources such as planer
shavings or cutting lumber with a saw. The biocomposite specimens from rice straw
and sawdust were prepared by using the compression molding technique which is a
common method currently used in the wood-based panel industry. Commercial urea
formaldehyde resin adhesive (65 wt% of solid content) was used as the composite
binder added with 10 wt% NH4Cl solution as a hardener. Each material is treated
with the commercial UF resin adhesive and was put in the compressor and thermally
molded from 45 to 60 minutes. Then the pressure was released and the samples were
taken out of the compression molding device. The prepared panels were tested to
define the physical properties. Table 2 shows the physical properties for the prepared
composite samples from rice straw S5 and sawdust S6.

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Seddeq et al. 5
Table 2. Physical properties of the biocomposites samples.
Air
Sample Material Thickness Weight Density permeability
ID type (mm) (g/m2) (g/cm3) (cm3/cm2/s)
S5 Rice straw (100%) 5.98 4931.94 0.8247 3.412

S6 Wood (100%) 5.51 5312.7 0.9640 3.38
Sound absorption measurement apparatus

PULSE acoustic material testing tube, type 4206 [28], was used for sound absorp-
tion measurements with the needed software for analyzing and determining the
acoustical properties of noise control materials. The measurements have been car-
ried out according to ASTM E1050 [29] in acoustic laboratory of Building and
Housing Research Center. Sound source (loudspeaker) is mounted at one end of
the impedance tube and a sample of the material is placed at the other end as
shown in Figure 1. The loudspeaker generates broadband, stationary random
sound waves, which propagate as plane waves in the tube, hit the sample and
reflect. The propagation, contact and reflection result in a standing-wave interfer-
ence pattern due to the superposition of forward and backward traveling waves
inside the tube. By measuring the sound pressure at two fixed locations and calcu-
lating the complex transfer function using a two-channel digital frequency ana-
lyzer, it is possible to determine the sound absorption and complex reflection
coefficients and the normal acoustic impedance of the material. The usable fre-
quency range depends on the diameter of the tube and the spacing between the
microphone positions.
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the impedance tube for the two-microphone transfer-function
method.

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Impedance tube system (50 Hz–6.4 kHz) type 4206 consists of:
. 100-mm diameter tube (large tube) and 29-mm diameter tube (small tube).
. Sample holders and extension tubes (29 and 100 mm).
. Two condenser microphones 1/4 inch.
Figure 2 shows the complete system for measuring the sound absorption coef-
ficient from 50 Hz to 6.4 kHz.
Measurement procedure
The sound absorption coefficients have been measured for four different nonwoven
samples S1, S2, S3 and S4 as follows:
1. Testing the four different nonwoven samples with different thicknesses (adding
layers).
2. Testing sample S1 with perforated wooden plate (2 mm) of 6% perforation in
front of the tested samples with and without adding air spaces (1, 2, 3 and 4 cm)
behind it.
3. Testing different thicknesses of S1 with the perforated wooden plate in front of it
and adding different air spaces (1, 2, 3 and 4 cm) behind the sample.
The average sound absorption coefficients (arithmetic mean) have been calcu-
lated for low (100–400 Hz), mid (500–1600 Hz) and high (2000–6300 Hz)
frequencies.
Then the sound absorption coefficients have been measured for different systems
including the two lignocellulosic composite fiber samples S5 and S6. These samples
Figure 2. Complete system for measuring the sound absorption coefficient.

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Seddeq et al. 7
were perforated of 6% open area and sample S4 was chosen to be added behind it
for testing the acoustic performance of these systems assembly as follows:
1.With and without air spaces (5 and 10 cm) behind the samples.
2.With perforated samples S5 or S6 and adding different air spaces (5, 10 and
15 cm) behind the systems.
3.With perforated samples S5 or S6 and adding different thicknesses of S4 and
different air spaces (5, 10 and 15 cm) behind the systems.
Results and discussion

Results for nonwoven samples
The sound absorption coefficients results changed with the type, the thickness of
the fabric tested sample and the frequency as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The figures
showed the sound absorption coefficients over the third octave frequency from 100
to 6300 Hz for S1 and S4. From Table 3, the results showed that all tested non-
wovens have low average sound absorption coefficients at low frequencies (100–400
Hz), equal or lower than 0.06. Also, all tested nonwovens have high average sound
absorption coefficients at high frequencies (2000–6300 Hz) up to 0.67 for sample
S1, 0.61 for S2, 0.58 for S3 and 0.47 for S4. Generally, all nonwoven samples have
low sound absorption coefficients at low frequencies and better at mid and high
frequencies because the low frequency sounds are very difficult to be absorbed due
to their long wavelength. The sound absorption coefficients at the low, mid fre-
quencies and high frequencies could be improved by increasing the thickness of
nonwoven samples because the frictional losses increased thus the sound energy
dampened.
1.2
1 layer 2 layers
3 layers 4 layers
1.0
Sound absorption coefficient
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Third octave frequencies
Figure 3. Sound absorption coefficients for different thicknesses of sample S1.

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1.2
1 layer 2 layers
3 layers 4 layers
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 4. Sound absorption coefficients for different thicknesses of sample S4.
Table 3. Average sound absorption coefficient at low, mid and high frequencies for nonwoven
fabric samples.
Sample Frequency range in Hz 1 layer 2 layers 3 layers 4 layers
Thickness in mm
3.7 7.4 11.1 14.8
S1 Low (100–400) 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.18

Mid (500–1600) 0.11 0.31 0.51 0.79
High (2000–6300) 0.67 0.95 0.94 0.94
Thickness in mm
3.7 7.3 11 14.6
S2 Low (100–400) 0.04 0.04 0.09 0.12

Mid (500–1600) 0.1 0.2 0.44 0.66
High (2000–6300) 0.61 0.79 0.92 0.94
Thickness in mm
2.5 5 7.6 10.1
S3 Low (100–400) 0.06 0.09 0.13 0.18

Mid (500–1600) 0.18 0.42 0.68 0.81
High (2000–6300) 0.58 0.88 0.96 0.97
Thickness in mm
5.6 11.3 16.7 22.6
S4 Low (100–400) 0.03 0.06 0.09 0.12

Mid (500–1600) 0.1 0.26 0.44 0.64
High (2000–6300) 0.47 0.87 0.92 0.95

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Seddeq et al. 9
Effect of air space

Some applications of fibrous materials such as barriers inside enclosures silencers
require some forms of protective covering and at the same time permitting the
sound to enter into the fibrous materials. The most common covers consist of
perforated metal or wooden panel with a fibrous material behind. So sample S1
was chosen as an example for testing the use of perforated plate and air spaces
behind the sample on sound absorption coefficients since it gathered the most
common textile fibers in the textile industry. Figures 5–7 show the sound absorp-
tion coefficients for sample S1 with 6% perforated wooden plate that was added in
front of the tested sample with different thicknesses and different air spaces behind
the sample.
Table 4 summarized the average sound absorption coefficients at low, mid and
high frequencies for the nonwoven fabric samples with air spaces behind. The
results showed that the sound absorption coefficients for 3.7 mm of S1 improved
with adding 1, 2, 3 and 4 cm air spaces behind the sample. The thumb rule that has
been followed is the effective sound absorption of a porous absorber is achieved
when the material thickness is about one tenth of the wavelength of the incident
sound [30]. The distance of air space behind the sample can absorb the sound
energy of longer wavelength at mid and low frequencies. So by increasing the air
space distance, the sound energy of long wavelength (low frequency) can be
absorbed.
For testing sample S1 with thickness greater than 7.4 mm and adding air spaces
behind, the sound absorption coefficients improved at low and mid frequencies and
may be decreased at high frequencies. The increase of sample thickness can
1.2
perforated plate, S1 with 1 cm air space
1.0 perforated plate, S1 with 4 cm air space
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 5. Sound absorption coefficients for S1 with perforated plate and air spaces behind.

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1.2
perforated plate, 2 layers S1 with 1 cm air space
perforated plate, 2 layers S1 with 2cm air space
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 6. Sound absorption coefficients for two layers of S1 with perforated plate and air
spaces behind.
1.2
perforated plate,, 3 layers S1, 1 cm air space
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 7. Sound absorption coefficients for three layers of S1 with perforated wooden plate
and different air spaces behind.
improve the sound absorption coefficients at low, mid and high frequencies due to
the increase of sound energy losses. On the other hand the increase of air space
behind the sample moves the resonance frequencies (peaks absorption) to lower
frequency range and results in a decrease of the sound absorption at higher

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Seddeq et al. 11
Table 4. Average sound absorption coefficients for different thicknesses of S1 with perforated
wooden plate and air spaces behind.
Air space behind S1
Thickness of S1 Frequency range in Hz 1 cm 2 cm 3 cm 4 cm
1 layer (3.7 mm) Low (100–400) 0.02 0.04 0.05 0.06

Mid (500–1600) 0.11 0.15 0.34 0.49
High (2000–6300) 0.67 0.69 0.59 0.60
2 layers (7.4 mm) Low (100–400) 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.12
Mid (500–1600) 0.27 0.48 0.62 0.70
High (2000–6300) 0.79 0.75 0.72 0.68
3 layers (11.1 mm) Low (100–400) 0.09 0.10 0.13 0.17
Mid (500–1600) 0.47 0.62 0.73 0.84
High (2000–6300) 0.82 0.88 0.82 0.74
frequencies [31]. Also the air space distance can absorb the sound energy of long
wavelength at mid and low frequencies.
Results for lignocellulosic fiber composite samples

Figures 8 and 9 show the sound absorption coefficients results for the tested sam-
ples S5 and S6 with and without air spaces (5 and 10 cm) behind the systems. These
systems have low sound absorption coefficients at low and mid frequencies. But
they have slightly high sound absorption at high frequencies as given in Table 5
because in general low frequency sounds are very difficult to absorb due to their
long wavelength. Also, they have lower sound absorption for all frequency ranges
than the tested nonwoven samples because the lignocellulosic composite samples
are treated with UF resin during molding and this leads to increase the airflow
resistance and decrease the porosity that causes drop in friction losses and sound
energy losses.
Because jute fibers are characterized by biodegradability, availability, low
costs and air permeability, Sample S4 was chosen as a porous material added
with the composite perforated S5 and S6 to improve the sound absorption.
Also, the composite systems were tested with different air spaces (5, 10 and
15 cm) behind. Figures 10–12 showed the sound absorption coefficients for
some tested systems. Also, Table 6 gave the average of sound absorption coef-
ficients at low, mid and high frequencies for all the tested systems. The results
indicated that the sound absorption coefficients improved at low, mid and high
frequencies when the thickness of S4 increased. Also, adding air spaces behind

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0.9
S5
0.8 S5 with 5 cm air space
S5 with 10 cm air space
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 8. Sound absorption coefficients for S5 with different air spaces behind.
0.9
S6
0.8 S6 with 5 cm air space
S6 with 10 cm air space
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 9. Sound absorption coefficients for S6 with different air spaces behind.
the systems improved the sound absorption coefficients at low and mid frequen-
cies. On the other hand, the sound absorption at high frequencies slightly
decreased because the resonance frequencies (Peaks absorption) move to lower
frequency range and results in a decrease of the sound absorption at higher
frequencies.

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Seddeq et al. 13
Table 5. Sound absorption coefficients for different systems of composite samples with and
without perforation and air spaces behind.
Average frequency
Tested system Low Mid High
S5 without air space 0.03 0.08 0.21

S5 with 5 cm air space 0.20 0.31 0.15
S6 without air space 0.04 0.14 0.34
Perforated S5 without air space 0.02 0.05 0.29
Perforated S5 with 5 cm air space 0.08 0.27 0.23
Perforated S6 without air space 0.01 0.03 0.39
1.2
perforated S6, S4
perforated S6, S4, 5 cm air space
perforated S6, S4, 10 cm air space
1.0 perforated S6, S4, 15 cm air space
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 10. Sound absorption coefficients for perforated S6 and 1 layer of S4 with different air
spaces behind.

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1.2
perforated S5, S4
perforated S5, 2 layers S4, 5 cm airspace
perforated S5, 2 layers S4, 10 cm air space
1.0 perforated S5, 2 layers S4, 15 cm air space
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 11. Sound absorption coefficients for perforated S5 and 2 layers of S4 with different air
spaces behind.
1.2
perforation, 4 layers S4, S6
perforation, 4 layers S4, 5 cm air space, S6
perforation,4 layers S4, 10 cm air space, S6
perforation, 4 layers S4, 15 cm air space, S6
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000 5000 6300
Figure 12. Sound absorption coefficients for perforated S6 and 4 layers of S4 with different air
spaces behind.

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Seddeq et al. 15
Table 6. Sound absorption coefficients for different systems of perforated composite samples
S5, S6 and S4 with different air spaces behind.
Average frequency
Tested system Low Mid High
Perforated S5, S4 0.03 0.20 0.39

Perforated S5, S4, 5 cm air space 0.08 0.53 0.58
Perforated S5, 2 layers S4 0.06 0.52 0.66
Perforated S5, 2 layers S4, 5 cm air space 0.12 0.64 0.52
Perforated S5, S4 2 layers, 10 cm air space 0.33 0.57 0.54
Perforated S5, S4 2 layers, 15 cm air space 0.49 0.49 0.53
Perforated S6, S4 0.03 0.16 0.59
Perforated S6, 4 layers S4, S6 0.10 0.65 0.58
Conclusion
The sound absorption coefficients for different nonwoven samples including nat-
ural fibers such as jute, wool and cotton blended with synthetic fibers such as
polyester and polypropylene have been tested to define the sound absorption coef-
ficients at frequencies from 100 to 6300 Hz. Also, the average for low (100–400 Hz),
mid (500–1600 Hz) and high (2000–6300 Hz) have been determined. The acoustic
tests have been carried out for different samples with different thicknesses (adding
layers) and adding a perforated wooden plate (2 mm) of 6% perforation in front of

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the tested sample. The acoustic test has been carried out with and without different
air spaces behind the tested samples. The results show that all tested nonwovens
have low sound absorption coefficients at low frequencies (100–400 Hz) equal or
lower than 0.06 and high sound absorption coefficients at high frequencies (2000–
6300 Hz) up to 0.67 for S1 (polyester, wool and cotton), 0.61 for S2 (polypropylene,
cotton and wool), 0.58 for S3 (cotton/polyester) and 0.47 for S4 (jute).
The sound absorption coefficients of nonwoven samples improved by increasing
the thickness of the tested samples at low, mid and high frequencies due to the
increase of friction losses that increases the energy losses. The results also showed
that the sound absorption coefficients for 3.7 mm of S1 improved with adding 1, 2,
3 and 4 cm air spaces behind the sample at mid and high frequencies. For testing
sample S1 with thickness greater than 7.4 mm and air spaces behind, the sound
absorption coefficients improved at low and mid frequencies and may be decreased
at high frequencies. On the other hand, the resonance frequencies (Peaks absorp-
tion) move to lower frequency range and results in decreasing sound absorption at
higher frequencies.
Different composite systems contained rice straw (S5) and sawdust (S6) samples
with and without perforation and different air spaces (5 and 10 cm) have been
tested acoustically. The results showed that the composite samples have low
sound absorption coefficient at low and mid frequencies and better sound absorp-
tion at high frequencies. In general, they have low sound absorption coefficients for
all frequency ranges from 100 to 6300 Hz because they have lower porosity than
nonwoven samples. When adding perforation and air spaces behind these systems,
the sound absorption improved at low and mid frequencies and slightly decreased
at high frequencies. The sound absorption coefficients for the tested composite
systems with perforation and nonwoven Jute (S4) improved with the increasing
thickness at low, mid and high frequencies. The sound absorption coefficients at
low and mid frequencies improved by adding airspaces (5, 10 and 15 cm) behind
these composite systems but slightly decreased at high frequencies. Generally, the
results indicated that recycled fibrous materials hold promise for use as raw mater-
ials for sound absorbing, being low cost, lightweight and biodegradable.
Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial,
or not-for-profit sectors.
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Investigation on sound absorption properties for recycled fibrous materials

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Investigation on sound Reprints and permissions:

recycled fibrous materials

Hoda Soliman Seddeq1, Nermin M Aly2, Ali Marwa A2

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2 Journal of Industrial Textiles 0(00)

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Experimental methods and materials

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Table 1. Physical properties of the tested nonwoven samples.

S1 Polyester, wool, 70% 3.7 534.3 0.1444 98.31

Lignocellulosic fibers composite samples

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Table 2. Physical properties of the biocomposites samples.

S5 Rice straw (100%) 5.98 4931.94 0.8247 3.412