Analysis of thick spacer fabrics to reduce automobile interior noise

Textile structures have the potential to reduce interior noise in an automobile; here the sound absorption of a novel knitted spacer fabric is discussed. The spacer fabric was analysed as a micro perforated panel absorber, a simulation being carried out on the effect of the structural properties of the fabric on its sound absorption capability. This mathematical analysis was then validated by suitably knitted spacer fabric samples. The results show a significant improvement in sound absorption compared to planar knitted structures.