Since the absorption coefficient of absorbent lining is generally highest at high frequencies,
the high-frequency components of any noise will suffer the highest attenuation. Some
improvement in low-frequency absorption can be achieved by using a thick layer of lining.
However the liner should, in many cases, be protected from contamination with oil or water, to
prevent its acoustical absorption properties from being impaired. This may be done by
enclosing the liner in a polyethylene bag, about 20 μm thick. If mechanical protection is also
required, then a perforated metal sheet of at least 25% open area may be added, provided that it
does not contact the polyethylene bag lining. This latter condition can be achieved by placing
an open wire mesh between the polyethylene and perforated metal. If this is not done, the
performance of the sound absorbing material will be severely degraded.