Soundproofing

Mass Loaded Vinyl-Australian Made

Thermotec Australia developed an extra HEAVY-DUTY, high performance, flexible soundproofing barrier called NuWave Base, or Mass Loaded Vinyl Insulation. The Mass loaded vinyl range of high performance acoustic sound/noise barrier is based on high density, limp mass polmers to take the energy out of sound waves right across the hearing frequency spectrum. NuWave barriers are flexible, inexpensive and will control unwanted noise from home theatre systems, aircraft noise, machinery noise, unwanted noise through walls and floors, office ceilings and other types or airborne noise. When noise and sound transmission needs to be effectively controlled, NuWave Noise Barriers provide the solution to ensure that building standards are complied with, and that noise levels are effectively reduced. NuWave noise barriers are also manufactured in various composite products such as high performance carpet underlays, heavy transport cabin insulation, plant room noise control, and waste pipe.

With an ultra-thin profile of 4 mm (approximately) and high acoustic performance of Rw 30*, Mass Loaded Vinyl is an excellent product to soundproof walls, timber floors and ceiling spaces in residential homes & is particularly suitable for office partitions in commercial buildings.

Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) in Australia is commonly used in a wide variety of other applications such as soundproofing cars, boats, pump housings, machinery rooms, or other industrial applications.

MLV is dark grey or black in color and Supplied in a roll.

Mass Loaded Vinyl Acoustic Sound/Noise Barrier Applications

• Partitions and common walls – housing units
• Noise Barrier screens, temporary & permanent
• Carpet underlay – studios, theatres, offices
• Ceiling – offices, meeting rooms, home theatres
• Studios, theatres, media rooms & hospitals
• Heavy industrial machinery – noise isolation
• Waste/Soil pipes – noise reduction
• Plant rooms, engine rooms, heavy transport
• Acoustic Doors
• Mining barrier screens—Milling, screening, etc.
• Fan & Blower Housings

MLV Acoustic Sound/Noise Barrier Details

• Mass loaded vinyl barriers – 4kg, 6kg & 8kg
• Other densities available on request
• Low profile – High Performance – long life
• Industry acceptance and proven performer
• Available as 4-Zero fire rated & outdoors variants
• No ozone depleting substances (ODP-EMI 4)
• Available in composite products – NuWrap 5 & Cabmat
• Easy to cut and install as curtains, inside walls and ceilings
• Low VOC – meets Green Building Council requirements
• Maximum transmission loss across the range of frequencies

Mass Loaded Vinyl Acoustic Sound/Noise Barrier Properties
Standard Roll Size	1350mm x 5 metre / 1350mm x 3 metre
Weight – nominal	NuWave 4kg/m2,  NuWave 6kg/m2,  NuWave  8kg/m2
Thickness – nominal	NuWave 4kg = 2mm, NuWave 6kg=3mm, NuWave 8kg = 4mm
Operating Temperature	Up to 100° C
Green Building Council Compliant	Yes (Low VOC & ODP-EMI4)
Available as Fire Tested Product	NuWave 4-Zero Foil Faced—AS/NZS1530.3
Barrier  Material	Barium loaded limp mass PVC– Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
Country of Manufacture	Australia

Wall & Ceiling Predictions

BCA F5.5 (a) Sound insulation rating of walls—A wall in a Class 2 or 3 building must

(I) have an Rw + Ctr (airborne) not less than 50, if it separates sole-occupancy units; and
(II) have an Rw (airborne) not less than 50, if it separates a sole-occupancy unit from a plant room, liftshaft, stairway, public corridor, public lobby or the like, or parts of a different classification
(c) A wall in a Class 9c aged care building must have an Rw not less than 45 if it separates(I) a sole-occupancy unit;or
(II) a sole-occupancy unit from a plant room or liftshaft

Installation:

MLV  is very easy to cut and install. The product contains a fabric scrim with an embossed face increasing tear resistance whilst maintaining high flexibility.

Walls/ceilings/underfloors – We propose the product be tacked to studs/joists using tacks with large heads or incorporating a washer to minimize tear. Gluing is also beneficial.

To increase the mass and reduce sound transmission, glue the Mass Loaded Vinyl to a machinery housing, pump housing, boat, or car structures.

We recommend the sheets butted up against each other, or overlapped and taped using strong industrial tape.

MLV Composition:

Mass Loaded Vinyl Australia comprises of 3 elements.

First, vinyl employed to provide the product with a high level of flexibility for ease of use.

Second, the Vinyl impregnated with naturally occurring Barium Sulphate, a nontoxic nature, and high relative density substance. It is this high relative density (mass) that gives Mass Loaded Vinyl such effective soundproofing capabilities.

Lastly, the vinyl and barium mixture added to a reinforcing scrim to increase the product’s tensile strength.