Acceptability of Coconut Husk Sound Absorbing Panel
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Noise pollution negatively affects comfort, productivity, and health. This study develops and evaluates a coconut husk sound absorber panel as a sustainable, low-cost alternative to synthetic acoustic materials. Coconut husks, an abundant agricultural by-product, offer a porous and fibrous structure that can trap sound waves. The panel was made from 500 g ground coconut husk and 1 kg sodium silicate shaped into a 20 × 20 × 2 cm mold. Tests were conducted in a residential room using a mobile sound meter to compare noise levels before and after panel installation. Results showed an average noise reduction of 6.7 dB. The panel was also observed to be lightweight, eco-friendly, aesthetically natural, and more affordable than commercial acoustic products. This study supports the potential of coconut husk as an environmentally responsible material for noise reduction in indoor spaces.
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Ajien, A., Idris, J., Md Sofwan, N., Husen, R., & Seli, H. (2023). Coconut shell and husk biochar: A review of production and activation technology, economic, financial aspect and application. Waste management & research: the Journal of the International Solid Wastes and Public Cleansing Association, ISWA, 41(1), 37-51. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X221127167 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X221127167
Alenezi, D., Mohammad, D., Alfoudari, F., Saeedi, M., Alajmi, R., & Mustafaraj, E. (2025). Strength and Water Absorption Behavior of Untreated Coconut Fiber-Reinforced Mortars: Experimental Evaluation and Mix Optimization. Construction Materials, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater5030069 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater5030069
Asdrubali, F., Pisello, A., D’Alessandro, F., Bianchi, F., Fabiani, C., Cornicchia, M., & Rotili, A. (2015). Experimental and numerical characterization of innovative cardboard based panels: Thermal and acoustic performance analysis and life cycle assessment. Building and Environment, 95, 145-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.09.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.09.003
Banks, J. L., & Cohen Hubal, E. A. (2024). Noise: A public health problem. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 35(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00748-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-025-00748-4
Basner, M., Babisch, W., Davis, A., Brink, M., Clark, C., Janssen, S., & Stansfeld, S. (2014). Auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on health. Lancet (London, England), 383(9925), 1325-1332. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61613-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61613-X
Cucharero, J., Hänninen, T., & Lokki, T. (2019). Influence of Sound-Absorbing Material Placement on Room Acoustical Parameters. Acoustics, 1(3), 644-660. https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics1030038 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics1030038
Faruk, O., Bledzki, A. K., Fink, H., & Sain, M. (2012). Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000-2010. Progress in Polymer Science, 37(11), 1552-1596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2012.04.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2012.04.003
Korjenic, A., Petránek, V., Zach, J., & Hroudová, J. (2011). Development and performance evaluation of natural thermal-insulation materials composed of renewable resources. Energy and Buildings, 43(9), 2518-2523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.06.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.06.012
Pacheco-Torgal, F., Ivanov, V., & Tsang, D. C. W. (2020). Bio-based Materials and Biotechnologies for Eco-Efficient Construction (1st ed.) Woodhead Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819481-2.00001-5
Syahrullail, S., Hariz, M., Hamid, M. A., & Bakar, A. A. (2013). Friction Characteristic of Mineral Oil Containing Palm Fatty Acid Distillate Using Four Ball Tribo-tester. Procedia Engineering, 68, 166-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.12.163 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.12.163
Yang, T., Hu, L., Xiong, X., Petrů, M., Noman, M. T., Mishra, R., & Militký, J. (2020). Sound Absorption Properties of Natural Fibers: A Review. Sustainability, 12(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208477 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208477
Zulkifli, R., Zulkarnain, & Nor, M. J. M. (2010). Noise Control Using Coconut Coir Fiber Sound Absorber with Porous Layer Backing and Perforated Panel. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 7(2), 260-264. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2010.260.264 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2010.260.264