Acoustic Studio Foam - how it works

Acoustic studio foam explained

Acoustic studio foam works using absorption, the foam by absorbing sound spontaneously converts part of the sound energy into a very tiny amount of heat. If the sound was to hit a more reflective surface the sound would continue after being transmitted or reflected.

Acoustic studio foams physical properties

Acoustic foams are open cell foams with specific properties that are porous absorbers, they are specifically formulated with the physical factors shown below, the foams are polyurethanes made from either polyester or polyether chemical foam formulations. They absorb noise by friction within the cell structure of the foam. These open cell acoustic foams are a very highly effective noise absorber across a broad range of frequencies and are expecially effective on medium to high frequencies. Most acoustic foam falls into two manufactured groups polyether and polyester, differing foam manufacturers make with differnt methods but both make foams that are formulated for acoustic applications, To ensure the foam is right look for NRC (noise reduction coefficient) data on the foam and on the specific tiles or bass traps, this is the proof that is accredited as being a specifically formulated acoustic foam, some polyester foams are typically used as packaging foams and can look like acoustic foam however are generally weigh much less as they have a much lower density these packaging foam would be totally unsuitable for use sound absoption, also polyether foams that are not specifically formulated for acoustic applications are unsuitable such as those grades of foam that are used for bedding and upholstery. The only way to be certain that a foam is suitable is to have the the NRC (noise reduction coeficient) data for the foam and more specifically for the individual tiles and / or acoustic foam bass traps, the data should show the results across a full frequency range being tested. The physical properties of acoustic foam both polyester and polyether, are quite specific as they are needed to give the optimum acoustic absorption. The exact absorption of porous open cell acoustic foam is determined by a number of factors such as the following :

• The Acoustic foams cell size
• The Acoustic foams cell structure
• The Acoustic foams thickness
• The Acoustic foams hardness
• The Acoustic foams density
• The Acoustic foams torosity
• The Acoustic Foams porosity

Shown below Corner Bass Trap made from Acoustic Foam