Highly effective products for soundproofing and sound insulation
Sound insulation and soundproofing measures in vehicles, machines and buildings ensure that sound does not spread unhindered and cause noise pollution or impair acoustics. Highly effective products are used to absorb, dampen or insulate noise. Hanno offers a wide range of soundproofing and sound insulation products that fulfil the requirements of various applications.
What is sound insulation?
Sound insulation encompasses a wide range of different measures to reduce the transmission of sound from a source to a receiver. Materials and soundproofing systems are used that absorb, dampen or insulate sound. A basic distinction can be made between structural and retrofit sound insulation. Structural sound insulation measures are already taken into account in the planning phase and installed when a property is realised. Retrospective sound insulation provides the desired acoustics in existing properties. Depending on the property, structural and retrofitted sound insulation attempt to minimise the transmission of structure-borne sound from one room to another or the transmission of sound from a source to a receiver within a room.
What is sound insulation?
Sound insulation minimises the propagation of structure-borne or airborne sound by reflecting the sound at defined points. Rooms, parts of buildings, vehicle sections or machine components are acoustically separated from each other. Sound-insulating separating surfaces prevent the passage of sound from one room or component to another. Typical areas of application for soundproofing measures are, for example, soundproof recording studios or impact sound insulation in buildings. Both structure-borne sound-insulating and airborne sound-insulating materials are used.
What is sound insulation?
Sound absorption differs from sound insulation. While sound insulation reflects structure-borne or airborne sound at separating surfaces, sound absorption converts the sound energy into heat. Special material absorbs the sound energy and converts it into thermal energy. Noise and sounds are virtually cancelled out and not reflected. Sound absorption is a typical soundproofing measure in interiors - it improves the acoustic and thermal climate in equal measure. Sound-absorbing materials or components are used, for example, in concert halls on ceilings, walls, floors or objects.
Differentiation between structure-borne sound and airborne sound
For sound protection and sound insulation, it is important to distinguish between structure-borne sound and airborne sound. Sound propagates in the form of pressure fluctuations and mechanical waves. In the air, sound propagates as longitudinal waves of air pressure at a speed of around 340 metres per second. The human ear perceives airborne sound in a frequency range between 20 and 20,000 Hertz above a certain sound pressure level. Above a sound pressure of around 100 dB(B), it is perceived as pain.
The propagation of sound in solids depends on their density and the sound frequency. It propagates at different speeds depending on the solid. Humans perceive structure-borne sound at very low frequencies as vibrations. It is only audible when the structure-borne sound changes into airborne sound at the end of the solid.
Requirements for sound insulation and soundproofing products
Products that are used for sound insulation and soundproofing must fulfil various requirements. In addition to sound-insulating, sound-absorbing or sound-damping properties, other properties are required depending on the application and area of use. These are, for example
- heat-insulating
- cold-insulating
- flame retardant
- temperature-resistant
- permanently elastic
- resistant to ageing
- resistant to hydrolysis
- strong recovery properties
- hydrophobic and oleophobic adjustable
- fibre-free
- UV-resistant
- low specific weight
- free from chemicals
- hygienically perfect
Areas of application for soundproofing and sound insulation products
Sound insulation and soundproofing products are used in many areas. The following is a brief overview of typical applications.
In cars and commercial vehicles
Various soundproofing and sound insulation challenges have to be overcome in cars. Highly effective solutions ensure low noise pollution inside the vehicle, reduce sound emission to the outside, minimise the propagation of structure-borne noise or create the desired acoustics for multimedia technology. Commercial vehicles benefit from sound-absorbing and sound-insulating products at numerous critical design points.
In energy technology
Wind turbines, heat pumps, generators and power units must be designed to minimise noise. They are fitted or lined with sound-absorbing material that reduces noise emission to the ambient air or neighbouring solid matter. At the same time, the soundproofing product used must fulfil thermal insulation or cold insulation requirements.
In household appliances
Appliances such as hoovers, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, extractor bonnets and coffee machines should work efficiently and make as little noise as possible. Sound-insulating and sound-absorbing materials are used to line the appliances at critical points and keep them running quietly.
In rail vehicles
To ensure a pleasant journey, noise pollution in train compartments should be kept to a minimum. Neither wind noise nor rail or drive noise should disturb passengers, even at the highest travelling speeds. Structure-borne noise and vibrations must also be minimised. Products with sound-absorbing and sound-insulating properties create the desired noise insulation within the rail vehicles. In order to fulfil the special fire protection requirements, the materials are flame-retardant.
In air conditioning units and ventilation systems
Air conditioning units and ventilation systems do their job unnoticed in everyday use thanks to their low noise emission. Unavoidable airborne noise from fans, for example, should be within a pleasantly low spectrum. The products used minimise the emission of airborne sound and insulate the transmission of structure-borne sound.
In room acoustics
Workspaces, concert halls and recording studios have different requirements in terms of room acoustics. Products made of materials with sound-absorbing properties attached to floors, walls or ceilings ensure reduced sound levels, improve speech intelligibility or minimise reverberation times. They can be retrofitted if required.
In mechanical engineering
In mechanical engineering, sound bridges must be avoided and sound insulation measures taken into account right from the machine design stage. Connections between materials and components that transmit distant sound to the surface are critical. Products with sound-insulating properties decouple the sound and reduce rattling or vibration noises. By encapsulating the machines, the airborne sound transmitted to the outside can be minimised and noise emissions avoided. Depending on the area of application, the materials used require special properties such as insensitivity to lubricating oils or acids.
Products from HANNO for sound insulation and soundproofing
HANNO offers a wide range of products for sound insulation and soundproofing. Depending on the requirements, they consist of very light materials, heavy foil or materials with highly absorbent qualities. HANNO-Produktgruppen sind:
Products from the Hanno-Protecto Group consist of highly absorbent special foams that can be provided with various surfaces. For example, they have aluminium lamination that can withstand temperatures of over 100 °C. Waterproof panelling and surface sealing are also possible.
Hanno-Redusoft products are characterised by their excellent resistance to hydrolysis. When compressed, they remain permanently elastic for many years and, in addition to soundproofing, also serve to seal out dust and moisture. The properties of the PU foam are improved by impregnation with modified acrylate dispersions.
The very lightweight material of the Hanno-Tect product group offers good sound-absorbing and heat-insulating properties. Thanks to their low flammability, the products ensure a high level of safety and can be used for applications with special fire protection requirements. The material is hydrophobic and oleophobic, UV-resistant and fibre-free.
Sound and insulation products from the Hanno-Fibre product group are ideally suited for industrial applications. They consist of polyester fibre fleece with different densities and can be equipped with an aluminium coarse-grain foil. Product variants fulfil the fire regulations of EN 45545 and can be used in rail vehicles.
The roller shutter box insulation from HANNO is a combination of open-cell melamine resin foam with flexible heavy foil and an absorption layer. The foam layer provides excellent thermal insulation and airborne sound absorption. The heavy foil stabilises the roller shutter housing. Installation in already installed roller shutter boxes is quick and easy thanks to the self-adhesive properties.
