Abstract

Acoustic insulation refers to materials and constructions that reduce the passage of sound into or out of a medium such as air, water, or a solid structure. This article is concerned with airborne and structureborne sound and provides an overview of a wide variety of materials and constructions used for acoustic insulation purposes. Included are discussions of sound-absorbing treatments for reducing the reflection of impinging sounds; sound-blocking materials and constructions for reducing the transmission of sound from one location to another; vibration isolation devices for reducing the transmission of vibration from vibrating sources into supporting structures (potential sound-radiators); and vibration damping treatments used to reduce vibrations within and sound radiation from materials and structures. Test methods, measurement units, rating procedures, and specific uses of materials, devices, and constructions for acoustic insulation purposes also are discussed.