Sound propagation in a pipe containing a liquid of comparable acoustic impedance

A detailed experimental study of sound propagation in liquids contained by pipes constructed of polymeric materials is discussed. Experiments were conducted with vertically aligned cylinders containing water ensonified at one end by a piston‐driven sound source. Significant sound attenuation (as much as 60 dB) was observed in pipes made of flexible polymeric materials, the effect increasing with frequency and loss tangent. Sound propagation in more rigid polymeric pipes exhibited similar characteristics to that in metallic pipe in that negligible attenuation was observed. In this latter case, a comparison was made with recent analytical work for which excellent agreement was obtained.