Acoustic Properties of Mixing Empty Fruit Bunch and Oil Palm Frond Natural Fibres

Abstract

Natural fibre is being studied and used as sound absorber for its promising acoustic properties. For instance, Germany have commercial plants that are producing sound absorbers from natural fibre. Natural fibre is eco-friendly and has no effect on human health. Besides that, the production cost of natural fibre is cheaper than synthetic fibre. This research reported the thickness effects on acoustic properties in different ratios of natural fibres of empty fruit bunch (EFB) and oil palm frond (OPF). Four different thickness of low density fibre board (LDF) have been fabricated (12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm and 18 mm) in density of 120 kg/m3. The Sound Absorption Coefficient (SAC) was tested by using the Impedance Tube Method (ITM) according to ASTM E1050-98 standards at frequency from 0 Hz to 6400 Hz. The results show the values of SAC for all samples increase with increasing in thickness from frequency range of 0 Hz – 4500 Hz. It is noteworthy that the LDF with thickness of 16 mm and 18 mm can be classified as Class A sound absorbing material according to sound absorption classes and possess the SAC values of 0.8 and above at a wider frequency range, which is 2500 Hz to 6400 Hz. The combination of EFP and OPF natural fibres has a very promising and excellent performance in acoustic properties.