The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) is developing new acoustic measurement and prediction methods for textile materials through the MetAkusTex research project. The ongoing research addresses technical limitations in current testing approaches designed for nonwoven materials.
- Existing measurement methods for nonwovens cannot accurately evaluate woven and knitted textile fabrics.
- The ongoing research will enable mathematical modelling for acoustic optimisation during textile design phases.
- The acoustics laboratory is being expanded to provide testing services for research and industry.
- The MetAkusTex project received funding from Baden-Württemberg's Ministry of Economic Affairs through the Invest BW programme.
KEY TAKEAWAY: This ongoing research enables precise acoustic evaluation of textile materials previously impossible with foam-based testing methods. The development allows manufacturers to create sound-absorbing textiles tailored for specific noise problems in everyday environments, potentially transforming how acoustic materials are designed and deployed across multiple industries.
THE CONTEXT: The MetAkusTex project addresses the problem that measurement methods designed for nonwoven materials prove inadequate for textile fabrics with different structural properties. Nonwovens contain randomly arranged fibres, while woven and knitted materials feature recurring, non-random patterns that create significantly different acoustic behaviours requiring specialised evaluation techniques.
YES, BUT: Textile fabrics offer superior elasticity and flexibility compared to thick nonwovens and can target specific frequency ranges for noise reduction. However, these materials have rarely been used in acoustic applications because manufacturers lack proper testing alternatives and must rely on limited foam-based measurement approaches for product development.
DATA SNAPSHOT: Sound-absorbing materials currently rely primarily on foams and nonwovens for noise reduction applications. Background noise pollution in everyday environments causes stress and health damage according to the research.
COMING UP: The acoustics laboratory is being expanded with a semi-anechoic chamber featuring sound-absorbing walls and a sound-reflecting floor. Modern data acquisition systems, measuring microphones, loudspeakers, and a turntable for directional sound measurement will be installed, with planned availability for institute research and industry testing services.
WHAT THEY SAID:
In acoustics research, there is limited knowledge about the potential and diversity of textiles. As a textile research institute, we want to ensure that a wide range of textile structures, including 3D textiles, find their way into the world of acoustics. We are laying the necessary foundations for this.
— Dr Elena Shabalina
Head, Technology Center E-Textiles & Acoustics
DITF
