Angle-Dependent Absorption of Sound on Porous Materials

Sound-absorbing materials are usually measured in a reverberation chamber (diffuse field condition) or in an impedance tube (normal sound incidence). In this paper, we show how angle-dependent absorption coefficients could be measured in a factory-type setting. The results confirm that the materials have different attenuation behavior to sound waves coming from different directions. Furthermore, the results are in good agreement with sound absorption coefficients measured for comparison in a reverberation room and in an impedance tube. In addition, we introduce a biofiber-based material that has similar sound absorption characteristics to glass-wool. The angle-dependent absorption coefficients are important information in material development and in room acoustics modeling.