Electrospun micro and nanofibers produced via electrospinning method were used for the sound absorption purposes. Polymers were initially dissolved in dimethyleformamide (DMF) or ethanol with a ratio of 80:20 and electrospun at 20 kV, 20 cm separation distance and 3 ml/hrs pump speed. The two-microphone transfer function method of the B&K impedance tube was used to determine the acoustical properties of the manufactured nanofibers at various frequencies. The test results showed that the absorption coefficients of nanofibers (~500 nm) drastically increased. The reason behind this phenomenon may be attributed to the higher surface area of nanofibers and their interactions with more sound waves/air molecules. This result may open up new possibilities for the sound absorption problems in many fields, such as aircrafts, other transportation vehicles and infrastructures.

This is the author's copy of the conference paper published in the proceedings of the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Lake Buena Vista, Florida - November 13-19, 2009, pp.1-7