Effect of Bulk Density on the Acoustic Performance of Thermally Bonded Nonwovens.

The effect of different fiber blend ratios and bulk densities at similar thicknesses on air permeability and sound absorption coefficient was investigated. The raw materials used were cotton, polyester, and bi-component fibers to make acoustic nonwovens through the air-laid and thermal bonding processes. A uniform thermal-conductivity box was designed in order to make thermally bonded nonwovens with fixed thicknesses. The experimental results depict that the air flow resistance of three-layer nonwoven was 0.565 kPa⋅s/m, which was about four times greater than one-layer of 0.12 kPa⋅s/m. Sound absorption coefficient of 20% polyester-60% cotton-20% bicomponent nonwoven with lower bulk density was greater than the 60% polyester-20% cotton-20% bicomponent nonwoven. The sound absorption coefficient varied based on which fabric side faced the testing apparatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]