Vibroacoustic characterisation methods for polymer materials and components

Polymer materials are mostly relatively inexpensive, lightweight and easily formable into complex 3D geometries. Therefore, many electrical devices, tools and automotive components have housings made of polymer materials. However, due to their low mass density and often relatively low structural damping, polymer materials pose challenges with respect to acoustic design. Tailored polymer materials with improved internal damping and components with optimised geometry offer great potential for noise reduction and sound design. In the »PolymerAkustik« project, a consortium of four Fraunhofer Institutes is currently investigating innovative solutions for optimised polymer materials and components for noise reduction and sound design. For this optimisation process manageable, efficient vibroacoustic characterisation methods are required. In this paper the application and adaptation of different characterisation methods are discussed in the context of polymer material and component development.