Sound Absorption Efficiency of Plywood-Carbon Fiber Composites: A New Frontier in Wood Material Science

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the sound absorption efficiency of plywood-carbon fiber composite materials and evaluate their potential as acoustic panels. In this work, plywood and plywood-carbon fiber composite materials were produced using Uludağ fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf.) peeling veneer, woven carbon fiber, and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesive. Three experimental groups and a control group were created. The materials from plywood-carbon fiber composite were manufactured in three different designs to form experimental groups. The sound absorption coefficients of the plywood and the composite materials were tested via the impedance tube method, according to ASTM standard E1050-98 (2006). Attention was paid to the acoustic behavior at low (bass) frequencies (63 Hz to 250 Hz), mid frequencies (315 Hz to 1600 Hz), and high (treble) frequencies (2000 Hz to 6300 Hz). It was determined that the plywood-carbon fiber composite materials could reflect or transmit sound waves at low (bass) frequencies, while significantly absorbing sound waves at high (treble) frequencies. It can be suggested that plywood-carbon fiber composite materials could be used as sound absorbing acoustic panels.