FILLED RUBBER MATERIALS SYSTEM - APPLICATION TO ECHO ABSORPTION IN WATER-FILLED TANKS

A materials system for forming rubber composites with selectable acoustic properties is described. It is particularly suitable for laboratory use in molding small articles with longitudinal sound speeds and impedances less than (or not much greater than) those of water, and with sound absorption coefficients which may be varied over a wide range. The composites are formed using a common silicone rubber resin (RTV-602) to which various fillers may be added in controlled amounts. The sound speed, density, and attenuation coefficient have been measured for more than 100 samples containing various concentrations and types of these fillers.