Preliminary Acoustic tests on resilient materials: comparison between common layers and nano-structured layers

Nowadays, efficient thermal insulation is a principal requirement for buildings and, accordingly, huge amounts of in-sulators are applied in the constructions, particularly for external walls, radiant floor, roofs, etc. Acoustic insulation is another of the most stringent parameters to be taken into account both in the construction of new buildings or their re-juvenation in order to obtain good internal comfort. Notwithstanding these needs, only few materials are marketed which feature reasonably good both thermal and acoustic insulation properties. More often, materials with good sound insulation proprieties show poor thermal efficiency and vice versa. Further, most of materials which have good both acoustic and thermal properties are thicker than either acoustic or thermals insulators which creates technical difficulties in their use, particularly in the buildings’ renovation. Nano-structured materials such as, for example, microporous or aerogel materials, are characterised by highly efficient thermal insulation power, in spite of their reduced thickness compared to conventional systems.