acoustic tape is a piece of adhesive tape that can be used to plug up acoustic holes in a wall, ceiling, or floor. It inhibits sound waves to create an acoustically dead space in the surrounding area. It has been traditionally used in architecture and as an acoustic barrier in recording studios and live sound auditoriums.
It is sold as a single roll of metalized polyethylene film with adhesive on one side designed to prevent sound transfer between two surfaces like walls and floors. The adhesive is typically a pressure-sensitive rubber-based adhesive, but acrylic and hot melt adhesives are also available.
The metalized polyethylene film is a thin layer of polyethylene with metal foil laminated to the surface using an extrusion process. The metal foil is typically aluminum and provides the sound-deadening properties while the polyethylene film acts as an adhesive allowing it to adhere to most surfaces. Acoustic tapes are generally used as permanent acoustic treatment which will not be removed or repositioned once installed. The low cost and ease of application means they are used in many different applications.
The sealed spaces created by an acoustic tape are typically used to record sound and the product is commonly used in recording studios, radio stations, public address and PA systems, concert halls, stadiums, convention centers and other acoustic environments. The reason that a piece of tape can be used effectively to isolate an area from unwanted sound is because it absorbs a significant portion of the energy traveling through the air rather than transmitting it out into the room.
Acoustic tapes are often used to isolate spaces used by children, where it is possible to disturb the child’s sleep.
The sound reduction properties of acoustic tape make it useful in recording studios and as an acoustic barrier in live sound auditoriums.
Sound waves can pass through the small gaps between walls and floors but cannot penetrate into the sealed area. This is because they are refracted, reflected and absorbed by the adhesive layer of the material which acts as a mirror.
Acoustic tapes are relatively inexpensive, usually costing between £10-30 per roll. They are sold in a range of widths and lengths to suit any space or surface area. Custom sized rolls can be ordered or it is possible to cut the tape with scissors in the correct size and shape. A quick and easy method is simply to apply it in strips by cutting off a length of tape, peeling the release paper off one end and pressing them down onto each other. Acoustic tapes are generally applied outside to a surface that is less than 0.8 m (3 ft) away from the one it is attached to.
Acoustic tape was invented in the 1950s by a Hungarian scientist, Dr Aczel Lajos and his brother-in-law, George Antal. They had observed how sound could be prevented from traveling through certain areas of a room using very thin spacers and came up with a solution to use these spacers permanently on the walls and ceilings of rooms.
A similar type of product called noise cancellation film is used in the film and music industries. It is constructed in a similar way but uses a thin metal sheet with a high-density foam adhesive on one side.
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