New Challenges in Assessment of the Acoustic Properties of Coating Polymers

Abstract

The study presented in this paper investigates the influence of coating polymers on the acoustic properties of resonant spruce wood. It evaluates absorption, acoustic, reflection, and resonance frequency spectrum characteristics in both unvarnished and varnished samples, with the interface between the coating polymer and the wood modifying the acoustic response. The novelty of the research consists in evaluating the acoustic and dynamic parameters of resonant spruce wood boards, varnished with varnishes with different chemical properties (oil-based varnish, spirit varnish, nitrocellulose varnish). The study focuses on the influence of the type of varnish and the thickness of the varnish film on the frequency spectrum, damping coefficient, quality factor, acoustic absorption coefficient, and sound reflection. The sound absorption coefficient increases with the number of varnish layers and is influenced by the sound’s frequency range, the type of varnish, and the quality of the wood—factors that collectively enhance acoustic performance. For instance, oil-based varnish applied in 5 or 10 layers contributes to a fuller sound at a frequency of 1.5 kHz. In contrast, spirit varnish, which has a lower acoustic absorption coefficient at this frequency, and a reduced damping coefficient, can lead to a nasal tone, although the frequency spectrum turns out to have the richest. Applying more than 10 layers of varnish softens the sound when using oil-based varnish but sharpens it with spirit varnish on resonant wood. Thus, the acoustic performance of a soundboard can be tailored by selecting the appropriate varnishing system and number of layers applied. However, a detailed analysis of the timbre of musical instruments finished with these varnishes is necessary to confirm their influence on the acoustic quality of the instruments.