COMPOSITES

Use: To block the transmission of noise and reduce reflections from the barrier.

Physical Properties: Consists usually of a layer of porous material and a layer of dense material. The composite material will have a performance capability as an absorber and as a barrier. Septum barriers are sandwiched between two absorber layers.

Effectiveness is a combination of STC and NRC ratings.

DAMPING

Use: To reduce noise radiated from vibrating surfaces.

Physical Properties: Viscoelastic. Damping coatings take many forms. There are mastics for spraying, troweling, etc. and there are tapes and sheets with pressure sensitive adhesive. Damping treatments are sometimes combined with absorbers.

Effectiveness is expressed as a "loss factor" which is the damping/stiffness ratio of a material.

DECOUPLED COMPOSITES

Use: To enhance the performance of the composite material when applied to the inside of an existing barrier. Decoupling creates an air space between the existing barrier and the septum composite barrier boosting transmission loss beyond what could be expected with direct attachment.

DIFFUSION

Use: To reflect sound waves off convexly curved or uneven surfaces for the purpose of evenly distributing and blending the sound over a broad area. In critical listening environments diffusion can eliminate sharp echoes without eliminating the sound by absorbing it.

ELECTRONIC

Use: To cancel unwanted noise energy through destructive interference by electronically generating a 180° out of phase anti-noise which is equal and opposite in phase and amplitude.

Physical Properties: Equipment includes an input microphone, controller/amplifier, speakers and an error microphone. Works best with noise propagated in a confined/closed loop space such as a pipe or duct. Works best where the noise source is repetitive and not random. Works best in low frequencies up to about 500 Hz.

Effectiveness is expressed as Dynamic Insertion Loss (DIL) for active/electronic mufflers and silencers.

DIL: The noise reduction of sound power level attained by inserting a silencer or muffler in a pipe or duct transmission system under air flow conditions.

Technological Advances: Electronic or active noise and vibration technologies are emerging from research and development to production applications. Recent advances include cancellation headsets, mufflers for automotive and industrial and a variety of consumer appliances.

FLOW CONTROL

Use: To reduce flow/fluid-borne noise transmission traveling through pipes and ducts connected to air/fluid control devices, equipment and systems. Mufflers or silencers use absorptive and reactive designs to allow air passage while attenuating the noise. Fluid-borne flow systems may be air, gases or steam.

Physical Properties: Internal geometry of the flow control device dictates the overall noise reduction that can be achieved and the resultant pressure loss of the system. Absorptive designs can vary the insulation thickness and density in the wall cavity as well as the distance between internal baffles (passage width). Reactive designs can vary the flow control device internal chamber length and volume as well as the number of interconnected chambers and the size and length of choke tubes connecting the chambers.

Effectiveness is expressed as Dynamic Insertion Loss (DIL) for mufflers and silencers.

DIL: The noise reduction of sound power level attained by inserting a silencer or muffler in a pipe or duct transmission system under air flow conditions.