The science of sound management, particularly in relation to rubber isolation at various frequencies, is rooted in the physics of how sound and vibrations travel and interact with materials.
To understand this, we delve into the nature of sound as a mechanical wave composed of frequencies that determine the pitch.
Low-Frequency Insights (20-200 Hz) Low-frequency sounds, like the rumble of heavy traffic or the vibrations from construction activities, can be particularly intrusive.
Mid-Frequency Mastery (200-2,000 Hz) Mid-range frequencies often encompass the realm of human speech and smaller machinery..
High-Frequency Handling (2,000 Hz and above) High-frequency noises, such as the ringing of alarms or the whirring of certain appliances, require precision in sound attenuation.
How Effective Is Rubber Isolation at Various Sound Frequencies?
When it comes to sound insulation and vibration control in construction and industrial applications, rubber isolation products are a go-to solution. Their effectiveness at various sound frequencies is a result of their unique material properties and design.
- Hysteresis: Hysteresis in the context of rubber and vibration isolation is the energy loss that occurs when the rubber is cyclically loaded and unloaded. When rubber is deformed, it doesn’t return all the absorbed energy back into the system; some of it is converted into heat. This energy loss is beneficial for vibration isolation because it dissipates the vibrational energy that would otherwise be transmitted through the rubber, effectively damping the vibrations and reducing the amplitude of the oscillations. This property makes rubber an excellent material for reducing the transmission of vibrations from machinery and equipment..
- Natural Frequency: Rubber has a low natural frequency, allowing it to isolate vibrations by not resonating with the external frequencies, which is crucial for both low and high-frequency isolation.
- Dynamic Stiffness: Rubber’s dynamic stiffness refers to its ability to resist deformation under dynamic or vibrating loads. It is a measure of a material’s resistance to shear and compressive forces at varying frequencies of vibration. The lower the dynamic stiffness, the better the material can absorb and isolate vibrations, making it an important parameter for evaluating the effectiveness of rubber as a vibration isolator. It’s a key factor in the design of anti-vibration products, ensuring they are tuned to provide optimal performance for the specific vibrational frequencies they will encounter in their application.
- Resilience and Flexibility: It can stretch and compress under load, providing isolation capabilities for a multitude of vibrational sources, from delicate electronics to heavy machinery.
Rubber’s Sound Isolation Capabilities Rubber, specifically a combination of SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) and EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber, is used in products like Megamat anti-vibration mats and Megafoot mounts. These materials are known for dampening vibrations due to their inherent elasticity and ability to absorb energy.
Low-Frequency Vibration Isolation:
- Megamat ME800: This product is specifically designed for heavy machinery that operates at low frequencies, such as centrifugal fans or industrial compressors. Its high load-bearing capacity (1.2N/mm² or 120t per m²) means it can absorb significant vibrational energy, preventing it from transmitting through the floor and causing structural disturbances or noise pollution​1​.
Mid-Frequency Sound Reduction:
- Sylwood Acoustic Underlay: Ideal for office environments where mid-frequency sounds like conversation and office equipment are common. Its technical capabilities, with an impact sound improvement of ΔLw 20 dB, help to maintain a peaceful office atmosphere by mitigating the transmission of these frequencies through the floor​2​.
High-Frequency Sound Insulation:
- Uproll Acoustic Insulation: This product is effective against high-frequency noise, such as the ringing of telephones or the operation of medical equipment in hospitals. It has a dynamic stiffness of ≤ 11 MN/m³, which makes it suitable for reducing airborne sound transmission at these higher frequencies​3​.
In these examples, the rubber materials’ technical specifications are key to their effectiveness in isolating sounds and vibrations at their respective frequencies.
We have years of experience working with professionals in the area of vibration isolation. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call us on 07553 473877 or email us info@buildtecacoustics.co.uk.