UNIT 2

ABSORBENTS
When sound waves hit the surface of an obstacle,some of its energy is
reflected while some are lost through its transfer to the molecules of
the barrier.

Study of various absorbing materials:

● All materials should absorb sound but some to a lesser extent.

● Sound wave strikes porous surface and dissipate heat
channels.

The need for absorbing materials

● To ensure Privacy
● Noise control
● To improve Environment for efficient working.

How sound works in rooms

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CLASSIFICATION OF ABSORBENTS:

● ABSORBENTS MATERIAL
A porous absorber is any kind of porous or fibrous material such as
textiles, fleece, carpets, foams, mineral wool, cotton wool and special
acoustic plasters.

● POROUS ABSORBENTS
They consist of an enclosed body of air confined with rigid walls Usage of Acoustic Foam Tiles
and connected by a narrow opening with surrounding space in
which the sound waves travel.

● MEMBRANE ABSORBENTS
Membrane absorbers, also known as panel and diaphragmatic
absorbers, utilize the resonant properties of a membrane to absorb
sound over a narrow frequency range.
Usage of Acoustic Wall Panels
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● RESONANT ABSORBENTS
Resonant absorbents consist of a mechanical or acoustic oscillation
system, such as membrane absorbers, where there is a solid plate with
a tight air space behind. Absorption reaches its maximum at the
resonance frequency. Sound engineers fill the cavity with a porous
material, to broaden the absorption over the range of frequency.

TYPES OF SOUND ABSORPTIVE MATERIALS:

There are three basic categories of sound absorbers:

porous materials commonly formed of matted or spun fibers; panel
(membrane) absorbers having an impervious surface mounted over
an airspace; and resonators created by holes or slots connected to an
enclosed volume of trapped air.

Polyester Fibre Wall Panel

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● POROUS ABSORBENTS:
A porous absorber is any kind of porous or fibrous material such as
textiles, fleece, carpets, foams, mineral wool, cotton wool and special
acoustic plasters. They all absorb sound energy as they damp the
oscillation of the air particles by friction.
Porous absorbers are used widely to treat acoustic problems, in
cavity walls and noisy environments to reduce noise and in rooms to
reduce reverberation.
Common 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.