Study of Aging Time of Manganese-Copper Damping Alloy on the Reverberation Time of Piano Room Sound

Bin Sun

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64486/m.66.1.11
Online publication date: July 9, 2026

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of aging time on the microstructure, damping properties, and acoustic performance of CuMn50 manganese–copper damping alloy used as vibration-damping lining material in piano rooms. Samples were solution treated and aged for different durations, followed by microstructural characterization using XRD, SEM, and EDS, damping evaluation by DMA, and reverberation time measurements. The results show that aging time significantly affects spinodal decomposition, microstructural evolution, and damping behavior. Under the investigated experimental conditions, an aging time of 8 h produced the most favorable combination of microstructure and damping performance, resulting in the shortest reverberation time. Excessively short aging resulted in incomplete phase decomposition, whereas prolonged aging caused grain coarsening and α-Mn precipitation, reducing damping performance. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences among the aging conditions. The findings provide a basis for further optimization of the heat treatment of manganese–copper damping alloys intended for acoustic vibration-control applications.

Keywords: manganese-copper damping alloy; aging time; microstructure evolution; damping properties; room acoustics; reverberation time

This article is published online first and will appear in Metalurgija, Vol. 66, Issue 1 (2027).