Sound Absorption Composites and Their Use in Automotive Interior Sound Control

Optimization of component/system sound absorption can account for improvements in interior automotive sound quality. Components such as headliners, seats, etc., account for a large portion of a vehicle's available interior surface area and can provide significant sound absorption and thus improve sound quality if their sound absorption potentials are considered.

In this paper, the authors attempt to convey a proper understanding of component absorption and its place in a vehicle interior system. The relation between sound absorption and component airflow resistance is discussed., and it is also shown that the processings for absorption materials have to be carefully designed. In order to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the absorption treatments, a reliable method for determining interior automotive reverberation times is reviewed.