Tag Archive: Noise Reduction

  1. Understanding The Difference Between Sound Absorption and Soundproofing

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    While the terms “sound absorption” and “soundproofing” are often used interchangeably, they refer to products with distinct purposes. As such, it is essential to understand the differences between the two terms to ensure you select the right type of noise reduction product for your application.  

    In this blog post, we explore the differences between sound absorption and soundproofing products, explaining what they do, how they function, and what applications for which they are suited to help guide the selection process.  

    What Is Sound Absorption? 

    Although sound waves weaken as they travel farther from their source, they can seem louder or more bothersome if given a chance to echo. For this reason, acoustic absorption products are designed to reduce perceived noise levels by eliminating the reflection of and increasing the distance traveled by sound waves. One important thing to note is that they only improve the acoustic properties within the space. They do not block sound from entering or leaving a space. 

    Acoustic absorbers are generally made from softer materials with open-celled structures, such as foams or fiber-based substrates. The numerous holes within the material make it easy for sound waves to enter but not to exit, essentially trapping—i.e., absorbing—them. Each sound absorber is given a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating that describes how much sound they can absorb.  

    Soundproof material

    What Is Soundproofing? 

    Soundproofing prevents sound waves from traveling through a surface, which stops them from escaping or entering a space. As a result, soundproofed machines in operation emit less noise. 

    Soundproofing represents the common conception of sound blocking. Acoustic barriers often referred to as soundproofing materials, are generally found within engine enclosures or compartments incorporated by OEMs during initial designs. Acoustic barriers are made from denser substrates than those of acoustic absorbers, which serve as a barrier against the sound waves between the source of the noise and the “quiet” area(s). They are given a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating, which describes how well the barrier attenuates sound.

    Applications for Sound Absorption and Soundproofing Products 

    Since sound absorption and soundproofing products serve different noise reduction purposes (absorbing and blocking), they are suitable for different noise reduction applications. For example, sound absorption products—such as acoustic absorbers—are used in equipment enclosures and operator cabs, while soundproofing products—such as acoustic barriers—are utilized for engine housings, heavy equipment and vehicle floor mats, and firewalls. However, some applications may require both sound absorption and soundproofing products to achieve optimal acoustic properties.  

    Contact the Noise Reduction Experts at Technicon Acoustics Today 

    Some companies find it challenging to determine whether sound absorption or sound barrier materials are right for their needs. Fortunately, the experts at Technicon Acoustics are here to help.  

    We are the leading producer of acoustic solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in North America. Equipped with over 40 years of industry experience, we can design, develop, and deliver products for nearly any sound absorption, blocking, or isolation need.  

    For further assistance choosing which noise reduction product is right for your application, contact us today. Already know what product you need? Request a quote for pricing details.

  2. The Importance of Acoustic Enclosure Treatments

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    Loud noises are not just distracting or uncomfortable for workers—they pose serious safety risks that lead to hearing loss. Reducing noise with acoustic enclosure treatments is an important element in creating a healthy work environment and facilitating employee productivity. These enclosures reliably reduce, minimize, or eliminate noise from specific sources in countless industrial environments.

    Benefits of Acoustic Enclosures for Noise Reduction

    Industrial machinery often exceeds allowable noise levels, but acoustic enclosures used in industrial environments facilitate noise reduction in compliance with federal, state, and local statutory limits. Noise enclosure treatments provide a number of benefits, including:

    • Measurable noise reduction, from 15dB(A) to 50dB(A)
    • Noise reduction for air inlet drive on combustion engines
    • Acoustic level reduction of combustion engine exhaust removal
    • Availability for indoor or outdoor applications

    Applications for Acoustic Enclosures

    Acoustic enclosures are present in a variety of facilities across a broad range of industries, applying noise reduction or elimination solutions to common noise pollution issues. Some examples include:

    Mobile electric power generator for emergency situations.

    Outdoor Generator Enclosures

    Outdoor generator enclosures reduce damaging frequencies from continuous engine noise. Though many portable generators integrate adequate levels of sound reduction, most industrial generators produce noise levels well in excess of OSHA’s permissible exposure limit (PEL). OSHA currently allows 90dB over a period of eight hours and only two hours of exposure to 100dB.

    Transformer Enclosures

    While transformers may not generate loud or intense noise, they do produce noise at a continuously damaging frequency. Transformer enclosures minimize the continuous humming and high-frequency noises commonly associated with this equipment.

    Noise Reduction Solutions from Technicon Acoustics

    Technicon Acoustics is an industry leader in the production of acoustic solutions for original equipment manufacturers throughout North America. We design, develop, manufacture, and deliver components and materials that block, absorb, and/or isolate acoustic and thermal energy. We incorporate the most advanced materials, systems, processes, and technologies within our state-of-the-art facility in order to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers.

    Our customers rely on us to provide adequate acoustic absorption materials and noise isolation in a broad range of industries and applications, such as:

    Contact us for more information about the acoustic enclosure treatment solutions provided by Technicon Acoustics or request a quote from one of our acoustics experts.

  3. Micro Perf Myths

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    Controlling how and when sounds are absorbed is pivotal for equipment and machinery. Acoustic designers use a combination of tactics and materials to control sound absorption and direction. One method manufacturers use is adding layers of composite materials, foams, and films to create panels with different rates of absorption.

    Micro perf, or micro perforation, is a film with tiny holes. Manufacturers apply this perforated film to acoustic foams to help absorb noise. Ideally, this addition should make the acoustic foams and composites absorb sounds at lower Hertz levels without adding mass or weight to the foam. However, an internal study found this was not the case, as micro perforated materials that were tested alongside unperforated materials provided minimal distinctions in sound absorption.

    What Is the Proposed Advantage?

    Acoustic designers routinely look for ways to smooth out sounds without bulking up acoustic foams. Micro perf’s intended job is to help tune lower frequencies without impacting high-end frequency absorption. At Technicon we sought to determine if the perforated films were able to tune, or if they simply reduced the structural integrity of the film.

    What Is the Result?

    Tests of normal incidence absorption comparing unperforated films with micro perf materials indicated little to no signs of effectiveness. Perforated material did not change absorption across the frequency spectrum. While the tests indicated some marginal changes, the changes would not alter the sound experience. Listeners would not be able to perceive audible differences.

    During tests with random incidence absorption compared to micro perfs, testers found some material effects. Microperf created smoother sound absorption effects. But the cost of this modification was an overall higher frequency of sound. Unperforated material in the same random incidence environment led to similar results.

    Another limitation of micro perf is its porosity. Covering acoustic foam with nonporous films — with no perforations —has several benefits, such as preventing oils and moisture from contaminating the foam. But the holes make micro perf porous.

    In fact, the tests seem to indicate, micro perf just creates an additional expense with no added value, since micro perf is more expensive than non-perforated alternatives. The holes also allow substances like water, oil, and grease to damage the material. Perforations can also shorten the lifespan of acoustic foams by allowing UV radiation to degrade the material.

    Contact Technicon Acoustics for More Sound Science Help

    There’s no short cut to fixing absorption peaks and smoothing out sound. Instead, professionals need to be able to tune acoustic absorbers and find the right ratios between the foam’s composite layers.

    Technicon Acoustics specializes in creating acoustic solutions that improve sound quality. Our products are designed to absorb, block, or isolate high- or low-frequency sounds. We have a team of expert sound engineers and scientists that research, design, and test high-quality sound shielding equipment.

    You can order standard shielding and damping equipment or talk to our team about a customized solution just for your facility’s needs. We work hard to create the perfect order experience. This includes shipping the correct quantities and types of material on time for every order so our customers can confidently move forward with complex or time-sensitive projects.

    Contact our team today or request a quote to start creating the optimal sound environment.

  4. Absorbers vs Barriers

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    When you’re not really sure what solution you’re looking for you usually search for “soundproofing”. We receive calls that sound like “how do you make this oxygen air compressor quiet?” Or Is there a way to soundproof my office?

    People are convinced that soundproofing foam, sound absorbing foam or soundproofing panels are the “cure all”. Well, doesn’t foam stop sound?  No. Foam doesn’t “stop” sound. It absorbs echo. This is a common misconception that follows confusion when OEM’s and everyday people are looking for sound solutions for their next project.  Let us help you understand the difference and which one is best for your next project.

    What is an Absorber?

    Technicon Acoustics Foam for Sound Absorption

     

    First, let’s determine what an Absorber does. Sound absorbers are porous materials used to line hard sound-reflective surfaces to reduce airborne noise. Airborne noise is a sound that is transmitted through the air, typically generated by

     

     

    • Speech
    • Television and Radio
    • Animal Sounds
    • Transport

    In construction, you typically find structure-borne noise which is transmitted through a solid structure, such as steel, wood, concrete stone etc. Once the sound strikes the material, the sound energy is dissipated as heat. Typical absorbers used are acoustical foams and fibers. At Technicon Acoustics we produce absorbers that are acoustical foams and fibers for both functional and aesthetic purposes with a wide variety of foam or non-woven absorbing materials. Common examples of sound absorbers are open cell foam and polyester fibers. To determine the amount of material necessary to reduce the noise, our engineering team uses our Acoustics Lab to ensure there are no gaps, cracks or leaks to allow sound to escape from the enclosure.

    Common Uses of Sound Absorbers

    • Machine enclosures

    • Generator, air compressor, & water pump enclosures

    • Engine compartments

    • Truck & heavy equipment cabs

    • Home appliances

    • Medical equipment

    Click here for the technical

     specification for an Absorber.

    What is a Barrier?

    Barrier Composite

    Barriers (soundwall, noise wall) are slightly different than absorbers because they are used to block noise transmitting from one location to another. A Sound Barrier is a Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) used to reduce the amount of airborne sound transmitting through a wall, 

     

    floors, ceilings etc.

    While Barriers are heavy as lead, they usually aren’t that thick. This allows the MLV to improve Sound Transmission Loss without taking up space; like at a Construction Site. Barriers can be wrapped or be used with other material like our Thermal Solution Product Tech Shield.

    *Keep in mind, that noise can be absorbed by sound absorbers or blocked by a barrier. We can also reduce structure-borne noise that causes vibrations using our Damping Material. *

    Common Uses for Sound Barriers

    • Machine enclosures

    • Engine compartments

    • Firewalls

    • Bulkheads

    • Cab floors

    • Pipe Wrap

    To view, our case studies and additional applications go to www.techniconacoustics.com or if you just have more questions. Click to request a chat with the Sales Team.

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