Acoustical model for Shoddy-based fiber sound absorbers

A simple equivalent fluid model is proposed to describe the acoustic behavior of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled fibers otherwise known as Shoddies. The model requires knowledge of the bulk density only, a parameter that is easily measured. Characterization testing was completed on nine Shoddy fiber constructions processed by one of three different methods: thermal bonding, resin bonding, and mechanical bonding. The parameters measured directly were bulk density, open porosity, tortuosity, static airflow resistivity, and normal incidence sound absorption. The materials’ viscous and thermal characteristic lengths and static thermal permeability are determined using indirect acoustical techniques. Empirical relationships linking the material parameters to the bulk density are then substituted into several popular equivalent fluid models. The most accurate ‘simplified’ model is selected by comparing each model’s ability to accurately predict the materials’ acoustic behavior using normal incidence sound absorption to assess performance. The present work is of interest to sound engineers in predicting the acoustic performance of Shoddy-based absorbers.