The Effect of Different Fibre Length and Different Urea Formaldehyde (UF) content on Sound Absorption Performance of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB)

¹ Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
² Department of Design Engineering and Architecture, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: idalia_nasidi@yahoo.com.my

Abstract

Noise control is part of the major requirements to improve the living environment. One of the best methods to reduce noise is by employing sound absorber material into a space. Since traditional sound absorber in the market was believed could cause health problems to human, the need for alternative material is desired. This research intended to utilize waste materials from palm oil empty fruit bunch (EFB) in the production of natural sound absorber for noise control in building. Two parameters were investigated; the fibre length and binder content to determine their effect on sound absorption. Samples were tested using impedance tube using low and high frequencies according to ISO 10534-2:2001. Consequently, both parameters show that different fibre length and binder content affected the ability of the fibre to absorb sound. Results show that the optimum fibre size is in between 2mm to 5mm length while the optimum amount of binder is between 0% to 5% and 15% from fibre weight. This research has found that the highest Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) using 2mm to 5mm fibre size achieved 0.70 coefficients while the use of optimum amount of binder (particularly Urea Formaldehyde) could obtain 0.75 NRC. The newly develop panels are considered as a good sound absorbent and suitable to use as an alternative material replacing the synthetic absorber.