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Materials for sound transmission loss: A review
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DOI:10.1016/j.pmatsci.2026.101777.png)
Abstract
En 中文
Noise pollution is an escalating global challenge with profound impacts on health, wellbeing, and ecosystems. To reduce noise, two material categories are of particular interest: absorbers, which reduce sound reflections, and insulators, which exhibit a high sound transmission loss (STL). In this review, the focus is placed on sound insulation and STL as the primary performance metric, while absorption-related mechanisms are considered only insofar as they contribute to reducing transmitted sound. The literature on acoustic insulators that exhibit a high STL over a broad frequency range is fragmented, which impedes direct comparison of existing approaches and cross-fertilization within or between material categories. Therefore, here we review the literature on acoustically insulating dense-solid materials, porous materials, and metamaterials. Traditional materials are reviewed first, including solid walls, sandwich panels, and perforated plates. Subsequently, porous materials including foams, fibrous materials, and aerogels are covered. Finally, metamaterials of the membrane- and labyrinthine-type are reviewed. By comparing mechanisms such as mass-law reflection, viscous and thermal dissipation, and local resonances, we identify critical trends, limitations, and hybrid strategies that enhance STL performance. Particular attention is given to how shape, density, dimensions, and hierarchical design influence broadband insulation. This review also integrates insights across categories, offering a comparative framework and highlighting opportunities in hybrid and adaptive designs. This perspective serves as both a reference guide for material selection and a roadmap for interdisciplinary innovation toward lighter, tunable, and sustainable solutions for future noise control.
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40
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1.3K
Citations:
3.7W
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