| 摘要 |
<p>An acoustical insulator for use in a vehicle body is provided, comprising a flexible, non-woven fiber material, the material comprising about 60 % to about 90 % by weight of a natural fiber and about 10 % to about 40 % of a synthetic binder fiber. The acoustical insulator material has a density of less than about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot and recovers at least about 80 % of its precompression volume within one minute after a compressive force is removed. Preferably, the natural fiber component of the material is cotton. Optionally, the acoustical insulator material may be encapsulated in plastic. A method for acoustically insulating a vehicle body is also provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a flexible, non-woven fiber material, the material comprising about 60 % to about 90 % by weight of a natural fiber, and about 10 % to about 40 % of a synthetic binder fiber; and installing the material into a void of the vehicle body. The method may further comprise the steps of compressing the material to less than its original volume prior to installing the material and releasing the material from compression following the installing step, allowing the material to recover and fill the void. The non-woven material has a surprisingly good ability to insulate against sound over a broad range of frequencies. By compressing the material and installing it into a vehicle body void and allowing it to recover its initial volume, the insulator fills the body with a light-weight, effective acoustical insulator.</p> |
