Open or Closed cell foam???

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:08 pm

Hi everyone, I hope this hasn't already been posted. I have done numerous searches in this forum and nothing definitive showed up. I have gotten my hands on some sheets of 2" thick foam that was used for shipping purposes. My question is a 2 parter. First, what type of foam is best suited to acoustically treat a room, open or closed cell? Second, how do you tell one from the other?

Thanks

Bob

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:47 pm

Open cell is better for acoustic treatment... as it's name implies, the open cell is a bunch of holes tied together.

It's not EASY, but you can actually push air through it. Closed cell you can't.

As a "rule", most foams you encounter will be closed cell.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:00 pm

Ok, I don't know if I would have a good way to test that. I heard that closed cell will not absorb water while open cell will. Is that true, I didn't put much stock in that statement when I heard it.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:08 pm

Shipping foam is not acoustic foam. Bigger problem is that it is not safe to use as it is not fire retardent. Google the fire in the Connecticut club.

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:46 pm

Good point, I definately want to use something that is safe. I have been looking for some 703 or equivalent panels in my neck of the woods. Hopefully they aren't too expensive.

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:03 pm

ok...

Where is your neck of the woods????

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:40 pm

taxman wrote:

Google the fire in the Connecticut club.

I'm not getting anything, is there another phrase that has more pertinent search words?

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:54 pm

Space wrote:

taxman wrote:

Google the fire in the Connecticut club.

I'm not getting anything, is there another phrase that has more pertinent search words?

"The Station" "Rhode Island" "nightclub fire". 100 people died in it.

Andre

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:24 pm

Oh, the Great White show. That was were I thought it was going but wasn't certain.

Thanks Andre.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:13 am

Thanks for reminding me. I never remember where it occurred, but never forget about it, and warn everyone awary from using generic foam. Generic foam is not acoustic foam and doesn't behave the same way. Its only purpose would be visual, while it probably would do more to screw up the acoustics.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON NOT TO USE IT IS THE FIRE HAZARD

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:57 am

I know closed cell foam but they don't absorb much energy. One of the foams is called Quash

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