Acoustic performance of woven fabrics in relation to structural parameters and air permeability

This work deals with the study of the acoustic characteristics of woven fabrics in relation to fabric structural parameters and air permeability. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, sound absorption coefficient of woven fabric samples was determined via impedance tube method. Samples with various pick densities and yarn twist were used. The effect of fabric thickness was analyzed using three and six layered test samples. Results showed that, while for all samples the minimum values of sound absorption were observed at frequency bands of 250 and 2000 Hz, the maximum sound absorption occurred at the frequency of 1000 Hz. Results also indicated that fabrics woven at pick density of 30 thread/cm exhibited higher sound absorption than fabrics woven at other pick densities. It was found that, noise reduction coefficient of three and six layered samples, woven at low pick densities showed significant increases in comparison to those woven at high pick densities. It was also established that samples woven with lower weft yarn twist absorb sound wave more efficiently. It was concluded that fabric air permeability can be used as a criterion of sound absorption behavior of woven fabrics.