Lignocellulosic Fibres Reinforced Polymer Composites for Acoustical Applications

Abstract

In this chapter, an overview of various composites for sound absorption applications were reported. It includes composites made of a polymer matrix reinforced with synthetic fibres and natural fibres. New developments dealing with composites made of lignocellulosic fibre were discussed in detail and the merits and demerits of composite made of synthetic fibres and natural fibres have been discussed. In this chapter, procedures for estimating the sound absorption coefficients of various sound absorbing natural fibres were discussed with a mathematical model. Factors that may influence the sound absorption coefficients of porous materials, such as fibre size, porosity, flow resistivity, thickness, tortuosity and density were described. Empirical models to predict the flow resistivity and sound absorption coefficient were also discussed. This chapter also examines the critical issues and scientific challenges that require further research and development of polymer composite materials for their increased acceptance in the modern world for sound absorption purpose.