A study of acoustics performance on natural fibre composite

• Main Authors: Yahya, Musli Nizam, Sambu, Mathan, Abdul Latif, Hanif, Mohd Junaih, Thuwaibah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 2017
• Subjects: QC Physics
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/3588/1/AJ%202017%20%28494%29.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/3588/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/226/1/012013
• Institution: Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Natural fibres are fibre that can be directly obtained from an animal, mineral, or vegetable sources. Recently natural materials are becoming good alternatives for synthetic material as they provide good health to greener environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the acoustic characteristics of natural fibres; Kenaf fibre, Ijuk fibre, coconut coir and palm Oil frond. During the processing stage, each fibre is reinforced with 60:40 weight ratio of natural rubber (NR) separately. The fibres are then compressed after the natural rubber (NR) treatment into circular samples, of 28 mm and 100 mm diameters respectively. The thickness of each sample is fixed at 50mm. The acoustical performances were evaluated by using an impedance tube instrument. The frequency peak value of Kenaf is obtained in a range of 700 Hz – 800 Hz, while for coconut coir is at 1000 Hz – 1075 Hz frequency range. Palm oil frond gives high frequency at 850 Hz – 1200 Hz. However, Only Ijuk has obtained the highest frequency range of 3200 Hz – 3400 Hz. The results demonstrate that these fibres are a promising light and environment-friendly sound absorption material as they are ready to replace the common synthetic fibre