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The Sound Of Silence



acoustic nonwovens keep down the noise



By Ellen Wuagneux
Associate Editor




Click here to read the full article.
Shhhh. Hear that? Probably not, thanks to the use of nonwovens as sound absorbing substrates in your car as well as your home and office. Typical end use applications range from automotive, appliances and marine to office partitions and aviation. Designed to control noise, acoustic nonwovens are supplied in widths from about 20 to 80 inches and in varying thicknesses of 1/8 of an inch to six inches.

As noise control assumes greater priority, acoustical nonwoven materials are making their way into an increasing number of end use markets across North America. “Consumers spend more time in their automobiles and in their homes,” noted David Schlaefer, business manager, 3M Acoustic Solutions. “In both locations, the need for quiet is being driven by the need for improved communication and comfort.” According to an analysis from Frost & Sullivan, revents in this market reached $443 million in 2005 and will reach $580 million by 2012.