TL;DR: An acoustic panel is three things: a functional core that does the acoustic work, a finish you see (or don't), and a mounting method. The core decides which frequencies it controls; the materials decide its fire rating; the mounting decides how it installs — and can even change its performance.
The core does the acoustic work
Different jobs need different cores:
- Porous absorber (e.g. acoustic foam or mineral fibre) — converts mid/high-frequency energy to heat. This is the basis of a broadband absorber.
- Tuned / resonant element — engineered to act at specific (usually lower) frequencies, the basis of resonance control.
- Reflective / scattering surface — a rigid moulded face that controls and redirects reflections rather than absorbing them.
C-ATS uses each: a Class O acoustic-foam core in the Reverberation panel, and thermoformed solid-surface panels for Reflection and Resonance control.
The finish: seen or unseen
The face can be a decorative fabric, a veneer, or — the premium route — an acoustically transparent finish that hides the panel entirely while letting sound pass through to it. (See how to conceal acoustic treatment.)
Materials set the fire rating
What a panel is made of determines its reaction to fire — Class O, EN 13501-1, or IMO/SOLAS for marine. On specified projects this isn't optional. (See fire ratings.)
Mounting is part of the material story
How a panel is fixed changes how it behaves: bonding damps a panel's resonance; screw-only mounting lets it resonate and absorb more. (See bonded vs screw-fixed.)
Why it matters
Two panels that look identical can perform — and comply — completely differently depending on their materials. That's why C-ATS publishes independently measured data rather than generic claims. See The System.
FAQ
What are acoustic panels made of?
A functional core (porous absorber, tuned resonant element, or a reflective/scattering surface), a finish, and a mounting method — chosen to match the acoustic job.
Does the material affect performance?
Yes — the core determines which frequencies are controlled, and the materials set the fire rating. Looks alone tell you nothing.
What are C-ATS panels made from?
A Class O acoustic-foam core for the Reverberation panel, and thermoformed solid-surface panels for Reflection and Resonance control.