Manipulating the Acoustic Characteristics of Kenaf as a Sound Absorber by Modifying the Thickness and Air Gap

The primary aim of this study is to profile kenaf fibre's acoustic characteristics from the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (NKTB) and to evaluate its effectiveness as a sound absorption material.The nonwoven kenaf fibre, produced from kenaf plant fibres, is processed into a non-woven fabric.This material comprises 65% kenaf fibre and 35% Bico (Polyester), which acts as a binder.The manufacturing process uses a Thermo-bonding machine, where Bico (Polyester) melts to bond the kenaf fibres.The study assesses acoustic properties, including sound absorption and noise reduction coefficients.Results indicate that increasing the sample thickness and incorporating an air gap improve both the sound absorption coefficient and noise reduction value, with the 50 mm sample showing notable performance in the middlefrequency range (500 Hz-1000 Hz).A comparative analysis between kenaf fibre and an industrial synthetic foam absorber reveals that kenaf fibre performs comparably to synthetic materials.This research highlights kenaf fibre's potential as an effective alternative to sound absorbers.It underscores the advantages of using kenaf fibre due to its biodegradability, environmental safety, and cost-effectiveness, aligning with natural, sustainable materials.