Sound absorption of weft knitted fabrics: influence of fibers cross-section shape, stitch density and mechanical modification of surface

Purpose One of the recent applications of fabrics is to use them for sound insulation. Accordingly, due to their low production cost and low relative density, fabrics have drawn attention in some of the industries such as the automotive and aircraft industries. The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of the fiber cross-section, porosity, thickness of samples and fuzzing of the knitted fabric on the sound absorption coefficient. Design/methodology/approach In the present study, fabrics with three different stitch densities were knitted by yarns consist of three different forms of fiber cross-section shapes (circular, elliptical and plus-shaped). In this work, the sound absorption coefficient of knitted fabrics was investigated with regard to the different fiber cross-sections and structural parameters using an impedance tube. Findings As indicated by the obtained results, the cross-section, porosity, thickness and mass per unit area of the fabrics were the determinant factors for the sound absorption coefficient. In addition to, the sound absorption coefficient and porosity were shown to have an inverse relationship. Originality/value A section of the present paper has been allocated to the investigation of the effect of the fiber cross-section and fuzzing of fabric on the sound absorption of plain knitted fabrics.