PET Acoustical Panels

Sound absorbing panels made of polyester terephthalate or PET come in a range of formats for various applications. They can be used for ceiling and wall applications including as tiles, panels, baffles, clouds, grids, and scapes, and can be installed using a suspension system, mechanical fasteners, or adhesives. These products are commonly a single color throughout and can be used as is, but they may also be faced with a fabric and/or printed with a pattern such as a wood look finish. Facing materials disclosed include PET, sheep's wool felt, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PET acoustical panels can also be used as a core in a stretched fabric system. Different products provide a range of acoustical performance based on characteristics such as density, thickness, air space, and shape. Reported acoustic ratings range from NRC 0.65-1.1. These products generally fall under ASTM E1264-98 Type XX as other recycled polymer felt fiber panels. Most sources indicate a combination of virgin and recycled PET where the recycled content is most commonly noted as post-consumer bottles. The percentage of the product that comes from recycled PET can be up to 81%, with the median reported as up to 60%. Some products have no recycled content. Virgin PET may include polyethylene terephthalate glycol, also known as PETG, as a low melting point fiber to aid in bonding. PET and PETG fall under the same CASRN, so are not broken out in the content. Most products have a Class A fire rating per ASTM E84. Some products are advertised as mold and mildew resistant, but this resistance is related to the material itself and does not seem to be indicative of added antimicrobial pesticides.