Acoustic Characteristics of Woven Jute Fabric

Abstract

The noise optimization using suitable absorbing materials is imperative due to significant impact on living beings by influencing various physiological and psychological factors. The research investigating the acoustic characteristics of woven fabrics compared to nonwoven and other fabrics are very limited. This research investigates the acoustic characteristics of woven jute fabric in relation to fabric structural variables. The research is designed to fulfil the existing gap on acoustic characteristics of woven jute fabrics. The focus was on the effect of woven jute fabric structural parameters such as weft yarn linear density, weft density and number of weft float over warp on sound absorption coefficient and noise reduction coefficient. The sound absorption coefficient was measured using impedance tube method as per ASTM E1050 standard. Noise reduction coefficient was measured from the mean value of sound absorption coefficient observed at 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2500 Hz. A Box–Behnken experimental design was adopted for research design and woven jute sample planning. The experimental work revealed that the plain woven jute samples prepared with 40 tex weft yarn consisting of 8 weft threads/cm showed higher mean values of sound absorption coefficient and noise reduction coefficient compared to twill and satin weave. The experimental results and statistical analysis showed that the effect of number of weft yarn float over warp and weft yarn linear density is significantly influencing sound absorption coefficient and noise reduction coefficient whereas the effect of weft density is found not significant.