Sustainable Acoustic Absorbers: Fabrication and Sound Absorption Performance of Compression-Molded Composites Derived from Bamboo Leaf Waste

Supasit  Manokruang; Teerawat  Sangkas; Jureepon  Lueakha; Oranutch  Khampan; Piyanooch  Jedeeyod; Jittiwat  Nithikarnjanatham; Adirake Chainawakul

doi:10.14456/rmutlengj.2026.6

Authors

Supasit Manokruang Tools and Die Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Chiang Mai
Teerawat Sangkas Tools and Die Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Chiang Mai
Jureepon Lueakha Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna
Oranutch Khampan Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna
Piyanooch Jedeeyod Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna
Jittiwat Nithikarnjanatham Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan
Adirake Chainawakul Tools and Die Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Chiang Mai

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14456/rmutlengj.2026.6

Keywords:

Bamboo leaves, Nature binder, Acoustic absorbers, Compression molding

Abstract

This research addresses the issue by developing a novel, eco-friendly acoustic absorbing material that aligns with the principles of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy. The study utilizes dry bamboo leaf powder as the primary natural fiber and Persea kurzii powder, a natural resin/binder, as the binding agent. Standard circular specimens were fabricated using a compression molding technique. Three different ratios of fiber-to-binder were investigated: Sample A (90:10), Sample B (80:20), and Sample C (70:30). The sound absorption properties were strictly tested using the Transfer-function method (ISO 10534-2). The results demonstrated that the specimen with highest fiber loading, Sample A (90:10), exhibited the most effective acoustic performance. This optimal sample achieved a high Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.44 and showed maximum absorption with a Sound Absorption Coefficient (SAC) of 61.96% at a key mid-frequency of 500 Hz. The results strongly suggest that a higher proportion of bamboo leaf fiber is crucial for developing and maintaining the necessary porous structure within the composite, which facilitates effective sound dissipation. These findings demonstrate the potential of bamboo leaf composites as sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to synthetic sound-absorbing panels, successfully valorizing agricultural waste into high-value products.

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