Measurement and Prediction of the Sound Transmission Loss of Automotive Glazing Materials

The transmission of sound through automotive glazing materials was investigated. The sound transmission loss in one-third octave bands of several different automobile windows was measured at a testing laboratory. The materials tested included monolithic (single-layer) glass, monolithic polycarbonate, and a double glazing with an air gap in between the two panes. The experimental data are given in the paper. Subsequently, a computer spreadsheet program was written and developed to predict the sound transmission loss of single-layer glazing materials, using empirical equations found in the literature. The predicted sound transmission loss values showed good agreement with the experimental values. The sound transmission loss spreadsheet is a useful, easy-to-use tool to predict the acoustic performance of automobile window glazing materials.