Passive acoustic materials

Whilst piezo-electric components are essential to the operation of an underwater acoustic devices, the passive acoustic materials are an essential and complimentary component.

• Transducer backing materials ensure sound radiates primarily in the intended directive (rather than being a source of unwanted self noise). There are dedicated materials for this purpose, but our range of absorbers are often used as hydrophone baffles as well.

• Encapsulants provde a rho-c (acoustic impedance) matched material that protects electronic components from the aquatic environment in a way that minimises acoustic losses through the material.

• Syntactic foams can also be used as transducer backings. However their low density means they can add buoyancy to transducers and platforms (e.g. ROV, AUV) minimise weight imbalance or help achieve a neutral buoyancy target.

• Absorbing tiles can be used to apply non-reflecting coatings to specific underwater structures but are also a major enhancement to limited size water tanks by reducing tank-wall reflections

Other material options are available, so come and have a conversation with us about your passive acoustic material requirements