What is Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) and How Does it Affect Sound?

NRC stands for Noise Reduction Coefficient. It is a measure of a material’s ability to absorb sound and reduce the amount of sound that reflects back into a room. The NRC value ranges from 0 to 1, with 0 indicating that the material reflects all sound and 1 indicating that the material absorbs all sound. A higher NRC value indicates better sound absorption.

How is NRC Calculated?

To calculate the NRC value, the sound absorption coefficient (SAC) of a material must be measured at various frequencies. The SAC is a measure of how much sound energy is absorbed by a material at a specific frequency, and it ranges from 0 to 1. The SAC value is typically determined using an impedance tube, which is a device that measures the sound absorption of a sample by measuring the sound pressure in a tube containing the sample.

The SAC values are measured at four different frequencies: 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz. These frequencies were chosen because they are representative of the range of frequencies that are typically present in most indoor environments. The SAC values are then averaged to calculate the NRC value.

The NRC value is calculated by taking the arithmetic average of the SAC values at 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz, and rounding the result to the nearest multiple of 0.05. For example, if the SAC values at these frequencies are 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 0.85, respectively, the NRC value would be calculated as follows:

For Example:

(0.25 + 0.50 + 0.75 + 0.85) / 4 = 0.58

The NRC value is then rounded to the nearest multiple of 0.05, which in this case would be 0.60.

It is important to note that the NRC value is a relative measure of a material’s sound absorption properties. It does not provide an absolute measure of how much sound is absorbed by a material. Instead, the NRC value provides a way to compare the sound-absorbing properties of different materials and products.

The NRC Scale

NRC 0

A NRC value of 0 means there is no sound absorption whatsoever. Sound will bounce from the walls, causing echoes and reverberation.

NRC 0.5

A NRC value of 0.5 means about 50% of sound is being absorbed by an acoustic product. Some sound will still bounce from the walls, causing a lesser amount of echoes and reverberation.

NRC 1.0

A NRC value of 1.0 means 100% of sound is being absorbed by an acoustic product. No sound will bounce from the walls. It is extremely rare for a product to claim an NRC value of 1.0.

What Factors Affect the NRC Value of a Material?

Several factors can affect the NRC value of a material. These include the thickness and density of the material, the surface finish, and the frequency of the sound waves. Thicker and denser materials tend to have higher NRC values because they absorb more sound energy. Materials with a rough surface finish also tend to have higher NRC values because they scatter sound waves and increase the amount of surface area that is available for sound absorption.

Does Frequency Affect the NRC Value of a Material?

The frequency of the sound waves can also affect the NRC value of a material. Different materials have different sound absorption properties at different frequencies, so the NRC value may vary depending on the frequency range of interest. For example, a material that has a high NRC value at 1000 Hz may have a lower NRC value at 2000 Hz.

What Products Use the NRC Value?

Products that commonly use the NRC scale include acoustic panels, ceiling tiles, flooring, and wall treatments. These products are often used in spaces where sound quality is important, such as recording studios, man caves, and home theaters. NRC values can also be used to compare the sound-absorbing properties of different materials and products.

How Accurate is a Product’s NRC Value?

The accuracy of a product’s NRC value depends on several factors, including the testing method used, the frequency range tested, and the conditions of the testing environment. Generally, NRC values are considered to be a reliable measure of a material’s sound-absorbing properties when the testing is conducted in accordance with established standards and procedures.

To ensure the accuracy of NRC values, testing should be conducted in a laboratory that meets certain standards for environmental control, such as background noise and reverberation time. The testing should also be conducted in accordance with established standards such as ASTM E1050 or ISO 354, which provide specific procedures for measuring the sound absorption coefficient of materials.

It is also important to note that the NRC value is a relative measure of a material’s sound absorption properties, and it may not always provide an accurate indication of the actual amount of sound that a material absorbs. The NRC value is based on a standard set of frequencies, and it does not take into account the frequency distribution of the sound that is present in a particular environment.

Additionally, the NRC value may not accurately reflect the sound-absorbing properties of a material under different environmental conditions or with different mounting methods. For example, a material that has a high NRC value when mounted directly on a wall may have a lower NRC value when mounted on a stand or suspended from a ceiling.

Conclusion

Even though there are limitations in the NRC value, it is still a useful tool for comparing the sound-absorbing properties of different materials and products. It provides a standard measure that can be used to evaluate the relative performance of materials in a consistent and objective way.