Development and characterization of sound-absorbing materials produced from agricultural wastes in Saudi Arabia

Green materials can be a valid alternative to traditional ones as they are produced and disposed without damaging the environment. In the present paper, materials developed from agricultural wastes from Saudi Arabia are presented. The natural materials considered are: date palm tree leaves, wheat straw fibres and eucalyptus, globules leaves. The values of the sound absorption coefficients of these biodegradable natural materials are reported. The sound absorption coefficients were measured with the impedance tube in the frequency range 200 Hz - 2,000 Hz. Sound absorption coefficients resulted greater than 0.5 at frequencies above 900 Hz for almost all the samples, which indicates good sound absorption behaviour. The paper concludes with some considerations about the potential use of these materials in room acoustics.