In many noise control applications, the objective is to remove or reduce sounds that occur only in a narrow range of frequencies. For such situations, it is possible to design a sound absorption system that is "tuned" to those targeted frequencies in which perforated metal plays a critically active role. This kind of system is called a Tuned Resonant Absorber. By employing such a system, the designer can reduce the thickness of the absorbing layer and save space and cost. This is illustrated in the chart above. It clearly shows that if the target frequency range centered on 2,000 Hz, an absorbing layer of just 1" would remove nearly all of that sound.

In a resonant sound absorber (refer to diagram), the air motion in and out of the holes in the perforated metal sheet oscillates in response to an incident sound wave. The preferred frequency of oscillation is determined by the mass of the air in the perforations and the springiness of the trapped air layer. At that frequency, the air moves violently in and out of the holes and, also, back and forth in the sound absorptive layer where the acoustic energy is converted by friction into heat and is thereby removed from the acoustical scene. It is the interaction between the thickness of the perforated sheet and the size and number of the holes in it with the depth of the trapped air layer, that determines the target frequency and thereby the thickness of the absorbing layer required to remove the sound.

As a component of a resonant sound absorbing system, perforated metals provide unique capabilities. A comprehensive guide to the theory and calculations for determining perforated metal specifications for both transparent covers and resonant sound absorbing systems is offered by the IPA in a book authored by Theodore J. Schultz, Ph.D., ACOUSTICAL USES FOR PERFORATED METALS available from the I.P.A.