Acoustical sound proofing material with improved fracture characteristics and methods for manufacturing same

Abstract

A material for use in building construction (partition, wall, ceiling, floor or door) that exhibits improved acoustical sound proofing and fracture characteristics optimized for efficient installation. The material comprises a laminated structure having as an integral part thereof one or more layers of viscoelastic material which also functions both as a glue and as an energy dissipating layer; and one or more constraining layers, such as gypsum or cement-based panel products modified for easy fracture. In one embodiment, standard paper-faced wallboard, typically gypsum, comprises the external surfaces of the laminated structure with the inner surface of said wallboard being bare with no paper or other material being placed thereon. The resulting structure improves the attenuation of sound transmitted through the structure while also allowing installation of the sound proofing material as efficiently as the installation of standard material when the sound proofing material is used alone or incorporated into a partition assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laminated, sound-attenuating structure which comprises:
 a first gypsum board having two surfaces, the first of said two surfaces comprising an outer, paper-clad surface and the second of said two surfaces comprising an inner, unclad surface;   a layer of viscoelastic glue on the second of said two surfaces; and   a second gypsum board over said viscoelastic glue, said second gypsum board having two surfaces, the first of said two surfaces of said second gypsum board comprising an outer, paper-clad surface and the second of said two surfaces of said second gypsum board comprising an inner, unclad surface;   wherein said structure is appropriate for use in walls, ceilings, floors or other building partitions to attenuate sound.