Rating of Sound Absorption for EFBMF Acoustic Panels according to ISO 11654:1997

Abstract

Empty fruit bunch fibre (EFB) and mesocarp fibre (MF) have been used in the fabrication of a new acoustic panel as a sound absorber for building. Measurements were carried out following ISO 354 in the mini reverberation chamber and the sound absorption performance of EFBMF acoustic panels were rated based on ISO 11654. Measurements of the new EFBMF acoustic panel involves five panel designs of 100 EFB dust panels, 80:20 dust panels, 100MF coir panels, 90:10 coir panels and 50:50 coir panels with 5 cm of initial thickness. Results showed that 100MF coir panel achieved αw of 0.90 coefficient and was rated as Class A absorber followed by 90:10 coir panels with αw of 0.85 coefficient and 100 EFB dust, 80:20 dust and 50:50 coir panels having αw of 0.80 coefficients and been rated as Class B absorber. This research has successfully defined that EFB and MF are viable to be used as raw fibre for acoustic absorber for building.