An investigation into the acoustic insulation of triple-layered panels containing Newtonian fluids: Theory and experiment

Sound insulation of triple-layered panels consisting of two impervious layers with the middle layer being a Newtonian fluid is studied here both theoretically and experimentally. The progressive impedance model is used to predict the transmission loss (TL) provided by the panel in a normal incidence field. Corrections are then made to obtain the TL values of such panels in random incidence field. A modified B&K impedance tube was constructed for experimental evaluation. Results are presented for a Pyrex glass cylindrical tube containing motor oil, a ferromagnetic nanoparticles fluid (in the absence of a magnetic field) and air. Good agreement is obtained between the measured and analytical results for a wide range of frequencies. Also, a significant difference in TL values, particularly at low frequencies (f ⩽ 4 kHz), is observed once the air is replaced by the fluid layer.