Publiscience Vol 2; Issue 1

Noise Reduction Coefficient of Recycled Textile and Waste Paper Composite as

Compared to Rigid Polyurethane Foam

1 1 1
John Mark Ticar , Raphael Eric Yturralde , Ramon Angelo Sinco

1
Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus, Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Department of Science and
Technology, Philippines

Abstract

Polyurethane foam is a good material at sound absorption. It is used in the market due to it having a noise
reduction coefficient of 0.6. Polyurethane poses a threat to our environment due to biodegradability as a
plastic. Textile and paper exhibits sound absorption properties comparable to that of polyurethane. This study
aimed to create a new sound absorbing composite material made of recycled textile and waste paper. To create
the composite samples, the paper and textile were shredded, mixed in a blender, placed in a mold and dried in
a dry-heat oven. Using the ASTM E 1050 98 Impedance Tube method, this study measured the acoustic
properties of the new composite material and compared it with rigid polyurethane foam. Results indicate that
the new composite material composed of 50% paper and 50% textile, has a noise reduction coefficient that is
not significantly different when compared to polyurethane foam. The new composite material made of
recycled textile and waste paper may serve as a viable environmental-friendly replacement for polyurethane
foam.

Keywords: Acoustic Properties, Noise Reduction, Sound Absorption, Impedance, Composite

____________________________________________________________________________
Introduction. Noise pollution and industrial waste
accumulation is a major environment and public health
problem. Due to these problems, developing
environment friendly sound absorbing composites is
necessary and would counter the problem. Sound
absorptive materials are materials that transform
acoustic energy of sound waves as the wave is in contact
with it by the phenomenon of absorption. They are used
to reduce the amplitude of the reflected waves in a
closed environment. Resistive in nature, sound
absorbing materials are fibrous, porous, or reactive
resonators. Examples of these materials are nonwovens,
fibrous glass, mineral wools, felt, and foams. Porous
materials that control noise are either fibrous medium
or porous foam. Fibrous materials are usually glass, rock
wool, or polyester fibers and have good sound
absorption properties. Sound absorptive materials
reduce sound wave energy by transforming the
mechanical motion of air particles into low-grade heat.
This prevents noise from building up in enclosed spaces
and reduces the amplitude of the reflected noise [1].
Polyurethane foams are mainly used as insulators
and base materials for construction, freezing systems
and transport. Polyurethane foams are utilized due to
their low heat conductivity, low density, low water
absorption and great mechanical strength [2].
Polyurethane has an open cellular structure which
improves sound absorbing properties and is currently
the best the market can offer.
Composite materials obtained by introducing textile
waste in rigid polyurethane foam matrix has greater
sound absorption properties compared to rigid
polyurethane foam improving its sound absorption
properties up to 200% [3]. A composite panel (material
type G) made of wool scraps and waste paper has a Noise
Reduction Coefficient that is 50% greater than
polyurethane. Economic assessment stated that wool
scraps and waste paper panel solution allows a cost
saving of 68% compared with the extruded polystyrene
and 50% compared to the glass wool [4]. Natural fiber
based composite materials such as sugarcane show sound
absorption properties comparable to that of
polyurethane [5].
A notable biodegradable and easily accessible
material, recycled paper, has a noise reduction
coefficient of 0.5. Textile on the other hand has a noise
reduction coefficient of 0.6 but is not as moldable as
paper waste and has similar characteristics to wool scraps
due to the fact that wool is a form of textile [6].
In the study of Prabhakaran et al. (2014) it was
evident that natural fiber based composite materials can
create composite laminates with superior acoustic and
vibration damping performance. The sound wave
impacting the material can be absorbed, reflected and/or
transmitted. This depends on the type of material. The
absorption of the impacting sound wave is a way to
decrease noise. Acoustic performance is based upon the
sound absorption coefficient.
An impedance tube is required to determine these
values. The sound absorption coefficient is a scalar value.
It is the ratio of the absorbed energy and the total energy
[3].
174| Ticar JM et al.

This study aimed to create an alternative to height, pressed until it can hold itself together and there
polyurethane foam, a non-paneled, composite material is little to no water left. The samples are then placed in a
made of two sound absorbing recycled materials, waste
paper and recycled textile. Its sound absorption
properties is measured and compared to rigid
polyurethane. This new composite contributes to the
solution of pollution by decreasing waste. The goal is to
have a recycled composite sound absorbing material that
costs less, while not compromising its sound absorption
properties.

With this in mind developing a new product would ease

both cases of pollution and result to a new sound
absorbing composite product. Composite materials can
be cost beneficial and be environment friendly
alternatives by developing materials from recycled Figure 1. The Composite Samples
resources.
Apparatus.
This study aims to measure and compare the noise
reduction coefficient of the composite material made of (i) The Impedance Tube. ASTM Standard 1050-98
recycled textile and waste paper in different weight involves the use of an impedance tube, two microphones
ratios to rigid (100%) polyurethane. It specifically aims to: in different locations, and a digital frequency analysis
system for the determination of normal incidence sound
(i) Measure the sound absorption coefficients of the
material (in different density ratios) in accordance with impedance ratios of materials. The quantities are
American Society for Testing and Materials 1050-98: determined as functions of frequency with a resolution
impedance tube method. determined by the sampling rate of a digital frequency
analysis system. Frequency range is determined by
(ii) Compute for the noise reduction coefficient of the diameter of the tube and the distance between
material in different weight ratios and compare with the microphones. An extended frequency range may be
rigid polyurethane foam obtained by using tubes with various diameters and
microphone spacing. This test method can be applied to
Methods. The textile used comes from used clothing measure sound absorption coefficients of absorptive
made of polyacril and was shredded into equal sizes with materials at normal incidence, that is, 0°.
a maximum length of 15 mm and width of 4 mm in size Normal incidence sound absorption coefficients is
by using a pair of scissors. Waste paper is acquired from efficient where the material is placed within a small
office spaces and is only composed of chemical wood acoustical cavity close to a sound source.
pulp bond paper. A solution of 2/5 part white craft glue
and 3/5 part water in a 250 mL beaker was utilized to
keep the sample intact. Plain market grade polyurethane
foam is acquired for comparison with the composite
samples. A 500 W, 230 V, multi function Kyowa KW-
4655 blender was used in order to distribute the
materials evenly. A 1700 W, 230 V, 50-60 Hz Pol-Eko-
Aparatura dry heat oven with a maximum temperature

hours.

Development of the material. The new composite material

is developed by mixing shredded paper and textile in
different weight ratios. There were 5 samples of the
product in density proportions of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30,
60:40 and 50:50 (Paper : Textile). The paper from the
paper shredder is further shredded using a pair of
scissors not exceeding a length of 15mm and width of 4
mm. The same is done with the textile. The glue solution
is then prepared by mixing 2/5 part white craft glue and
3/5 part water in a 250ml beaker. The raw materials are
then weighed using and proportioned by their density,
20g/212 cm³ for paper and 3g/212 cm³ for textile using a
Denver Instrument XE-510 electronic weighing scale
with a maximum weight capacity of 510g, and a 0.01
margin of error. With 50 mL of the glue solution the
mixture is then evenly distributed in a blender. The
mixture is then placed in a mold 30mm in diameter and
Figure 2. Impedance Tube Set-up
(ii) The Apparatus. The apparatus is a hollow cylinder
400mm in length with a sample holder on one end and a
sound source on the opposite end. Microphone ports are
mounted at two different locations along the wall of the
tube with the first microphone having a distance 90mm
data analysis and interpretation.
(iii) Tube. The interior of the tube is a tube with a
constant diameter measurement of 30mm from end to
end. The tube is straight with a smooth, nonporous and
 Acoustic Properties of New Composite Material| 173
clean inside to maintain low sound attenuation. The tube
is 2mm thick and sound transmission through the tube
wall is negligible.
(iv) Sound Source. - The speakers have a power response
over the frequency range of 250 Hz - 2000 Hz.
Figure 3. Sound Source
(iv) Microphones. Two identical microphones are
mounted. The microphone diameter is 10 mm and
microphone ports are 5.5mm apart with the first
microphone having a distance of 90 mm from the sound
source.
Figure 4. Microphones
(v) Test Signal. The test signals are uniform sine waves
of 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz with
amplitude of 0.8.
Figure 5. Test Signal
(vi) Test Measuring Equipment. - A high end desktop
computer is used to generate the test signal and record
data for data analysis and interpretation.
Figure 6. The Equipment Measuring
Measuring Acoustic Properties. The composite
samples in different proportions are placed in the test
sample holder of the tube. One by one the sound source
emits the 4 different frequencies required in noise
reduction coefficient and the sound absorption
The noise reduction coefficient of each sample is
calculated and compared with rigid polyurethane foam.
Data Analysis. Acoustic measurement of the composite
material is determined by the sound absorption
coefficient. The impedance tube method measures the
sound absorption coefficient of the materials tested and
is determined by a digital frequency analysis system.
The absorption coefficient is the ratio of the absorbed
energy to the total incident energy. Sound absorption
coefficient in different frequencies can be too complex
to measure but the ability of an object to absorb sound is
measured using the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)
with only the average of four sound absorption
coefficients. The data is analyzed using the Kruskall
Wallis test to determine if there are statistically
significant differences between two or more
independent variables on a continuous variable.
Safety Procedure. In the creation of the composite
material, glue and other adhesive substances will be
used. In this study PPE safety is required during this
phase, eye protection and mask will be needed to avoid
irritations. Cutting equipment will also be used during
development. Samples and materials will be handled
property according to the ASTM standards of handling
and measuring sound absorbing materials. The materials
will be stored and tested in a proper and safe location.
The equipment will be handled properly as suggested by
the ASTM standard
Results and Discussion. This study aimed to create
samples of the waste-paper and recycled textile in
different density ratios. The Samples are then exposed to
different frequency signals 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and
2000 Hz, their sound absorption coefficient (SAC) are
The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) is then
determined by calculating average of the SRCs in the
four frequencies mentioned. The samples are labeled
according to their density (paper: textile).
174| Ticar JM et al.

The Sound Absorption Coefficient. This study aims to

create samples of the waste-paper and recycled textile in
different density ratios. The Samples are then exposed to
different frequency signals 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and
2000 Hz, their sound absorption coefficient (SAC) are

The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) is then

determined by calculating average of the SRCs in the
four frequencies mentioned. The samples are labeled
according to their density (paper: textile).

Figure 8. The Noise Reduction Coefficient

Table 2. Raw Data of Noise Reduction Coefficient

A- 90:10, B- 80:20, C- 70:30, D- 60:40, E- 50:50 and CN- Control

A B C D E CN
0.6567 0.6662 0.6622 0.6709 0.6832 0.6602
0.6596 0.6663 0.6649 0.6709 0.6832 0.66214
Figure 7. The Sound Absorption Coefficient of The Samples in 0.6604 0.6666 0.6661 0.6713 0.6832 0.6638
Different Frequencies A B C D E CN
0.6596 0.6663 0.6649 0.6709 0.6832 0.66214

Table 1. Raw data on Sound Absorption Coefficient

A- 90:10, B- 80:20, C- 70:30, D- 60:40, E- 50:50 and CN- Control
The Noise Reduction Coefficient. The NRC is a scalar
variable of the amount of sound energy absorbed upon
0.5955880 0.522201 0.790875 0.718430 striking the material. It is the average of SAC values in
A 0.602090 0.524952 0.792366 0.719388 the frequencies of 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000
Hz. The NRC values of the samples range from 0.64 to
0.602090 0.526316 0.792627 0.720812
0.69. Using the Kruskall Wallis test, the noise reduction
0.603047 0.526769 0.793406 0.717949 coefficient values of all samples are not considered
significantly different when compared to the control, but
B 0.607765 0.52902 0.795285 0.716495 sample 90:10 with a NRC value of 0.66 and sample 50:50
0.610543 0.529915 0.795539 0.719388 with a NRC value of 0.68 are significantly different from
each other.
0.670220 0.542936 0.790786 0.728916
The sound absorption properties of the five samples
C 0.670000 0.542936 0.790875 0.729064
show a consistent increase when the amount of textile is
0.670439 0.542936 0.790875 0.728916 also increased, with sample 90:10 having the lowest SAC
values throughout the four frequencies and sample
0.624431 0.537815 0.799189 0.722378
50:50 having the highest SAC values with the exception
D 0.624716 0.537815 0.799189 0.722222 of sample 60:40 yielding the highest value in the
frequency of 1000 Hz. The increased amount of textile
0.625567 0.538246 0.799189 0.722378 may have contributed to the increase in SAC. The
0.606205 0.528122 0.795792 0.718910
increase in SAC. As stated in the study of Kraitapea and
E 0.612979 0.530361 0.795708 0.720812 Thongpina, porosity and fibrousity increases the
0.614786 0.532136 0.795708 0.721910 materials ability to absorb sound. Porosity and fibrousity
also increase sound transmission loss. When compared
0.692737 0.512795 0.674556 0.784876 to polyurethane foam, all five samples perform better on
frequencies of 500Hz and 1000Hz, while the control
CN 0.693118 0.512795 0.674556 0.784876
performs better on frequencies of 250 Hz and 2000 Hz.
0.693878 0.513274 0.674556 0.784970 In the study of Burrati et al. (2016) it is already known
that paper is a sound absorptive material and has shown
improvements in sound absorption when combined
 Acoustic Properties of New Composite Material| 173

with other materials like wool. It is also consistent with
the study of Tiuc et al. proving that textile waste has a
significant effect on the SRC of a material.
The waste paper recycled textile composite is a viable
replacement for polyurethane foam due to all 5 samples
having NRC values that are not significantly different
when compared with the control. The samples and
control differed in SAC on different frequencies,
therefore the NRC of the samples and control compared
yielded values that are not significantly different when
compared to polyurethane. When the samples are
compared with each other, sample 90:10 and sample
50:50 are significantly different to each other with
sample 50:50 having the greatest NRC value. Sample
50:50 is the desired replacement due to its high SAC and
NRC values.
The waste paper recycled textile composite is more
effective on 500 Hz and 1000 Hz when it comes to SAC
while polyurethane foam is more effective on
frequencies of 250 Hz and 2000 Hz. The SAC values
increase when the amount of textile is also increased.
The NRC values of the samples are not significantly
different to the control due to the differences in SAC
values. Sample 50:50 with the highest NRC value of 0.68
is the desired replacement for polyurethane foam.
50:50, composed of 50% paper and 50% textile, is
comparable to market-grade polyurethane foam.
Sample 50:50 is a viable environmental-friendly and
sustainable alternative due it having an NRC value not
significantly different from polyurethane foam.
Recommendations. This study only tested polyacryl
textile and bond paper therefore there are more textile
and paper variations that might yield different results.
The textile is manually shredded similar with the paper,
using a shredder for accurate and consistent sizes is
recommended. Taking into account and recording the
effects of the adhesive used is also recommended. A
temperature regulated room would give more accurate
results. Using Matlab for automated data recording
would make the process faster.
Acknowledgements. I would like to thank and
acknowledge the assistance of the University of San
Agustin and Engineer Edshel Borra with the creation of
the Impedance Tube, an equipment vital to this study.
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