Acoustic Insulation Behavior of Composite Nonwoven

Multilayer or multicomponent composite nonwoven structures provide great advantages for many technical applications. Spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) type multilayer nonwovens have significant commercial success in terms of end-use versatility. SMS type composite nonwovens, which can be produced with both continuous and discontinuous production technologies, are evolving day by day. Bulky, fibrous, porous nonwoven structures are widely used as sound absorbers for a variety of applications for instant building and automotive insulations, machine insulations, etc. The fibers interlocking in nonwovens are the frictional elements and provide resistance to acoustic wave motion. As many researchers reported, the most effective factors on sound absorption properties of fibrous materials are fiber diameter, airflow resistance, material thickness, tortuosity, porosity, and fiber surface area. In this research chapter, the sound absorption performance of SMS type composite nonwovens in relation to air permeability and pore sizes has been determined. The results show that SMS type nonwovens perform sound insulation at high frequencies. Spunmelt nonwovens with the advantages of short production line will create various alternatives with varieties of layering and compete with commercially used other sound absorbers.