Appraising the Acoustic Performance and Related Factors of Natural Fiber: A Review

ABSTRACT

Over the last couple of decades, there is an increasing demand to control interior noise occurring in aircraft, automobiles, railways, and construction works. Interior noise could impair people’s health, affecting passenger comfort and active safety performance. One of the contemporary noise control technologies is the use of sound-absorbing materials. Traditionally, mineral fibers, foams, and composites are used as sound-absorbing materials. However, they are expensive and energy consumptive as they add to the structure’s weight and affect structural integrity. Natural fibers could contribute to the replacement of conventional mineral fibers with decreased environmental impact, carbon neutrality, and improved sound-absorbing qualities. Also, previous research proved that sound-absorbing materials having natural fiber possess better acoustic properties comparable to those of synthetic fibers. However, high water absorption, termite attack, low fire resistance, and low strength are some of the issues restricting natural fibers usage. Here, an attempt is made to present the potential of natural fibers for acoustic absorbers by understanding the benefits of their inherent porous and tortuous structure. This paper involves a review study of experimental methods and parameters used to regulate the acoustic performance of natural fibers. Natural fibers seem a proven alternative as an acoustic absorber, thereby reducing sustainability concerns related to synthetic materials in acoustics applications.

摘要

在过去的几十年里, 控制飞机、汽车、铁路和建筑工程中产生的内部噪声的需求不断增加. 车内噪声可能会损害人的健康, 影响乘客的舒适性和主动安全性能. 当代噪音控制技术之一是吸声材料的使用. 传统上, 矿物纤维、泡沫和复合材料被用作吸声材料. 然而, 由于它们增加了结构的重量并影响结构的完整性, 因此价格昂贵且耗能. 天然纤维有助于取代传统矿物纤维, 减少对环境的影响, 碳中和, 提高吸声质量. 此外, 先前的研究证明, 与合成纤维相比, 具有天然纤维的吸声材料具有更好的声学性能. 然而, 高吸水性、白蚁攻击、低耐火性和低强度是限制天然纤维使用的一些问题. 本文试图通过了解天然纤维固有的多孔和曲折结构的优点, 展示其作为吸声材料的潜力. 本文综述了调节天然纤维声学性能的实验方法和参数的研究. 天然纤维似乎是一种经验证的吸声材料替代品, 从而减少了与声学应用中合成材料相关的可持续性问题.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural fibers
• composites
• acoustic performance
• sound absorption coefficient
• noise reduction
• automotive industry
• construction industry

关键词:

• 天然纤维
• 复合材料
• 声学性能
• 吸声系数
• 降噪
• 汽车工业

Highlights

• This review will motivate the use of natural fibers for sound perspective application as a replacement for synthetic fibers

• The measurement techniques of acoustic properties as SAC and TL are discussed

• Study deliberates synergy of different parameters on the acoustic performance of natural fiber

• Acoustic study will help utilization of natural fiber in automotive and construction industry

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank MKSSS’s Cummins College of Engineering Pune for providing the opportunity to work on this.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).