Insulation, Acoustic

Abstract

Acoustic insulation may be defined s a material or construction that reduces the passage of sound into or out of a medium such as air, water or solid structure. For purposes of this article, sound is a vibratory disturbance in the air consisting of alternating compressions and rarefactions transmitted through the air waves. The term acoustic insulation covers a broad range of materials and mechanisms for the control of sound: sound absorbing materials that reduce the reflections of impinging sounds; sound blocking materials that reduce sound transmission from one location to another; vibration isolating materials and devices that reduce transmissions of vibrations from a vibrating source to potential sound‐radiating structures; and vibration dampings that reduce vibrations and sound radiation in and from materials and structures.