SoundSafe®
MLV Acoustic Barrier
The Highest Fire-Rated MLV on the Market is Now Available from E Squared Technical Textiles.
E Squared's SoundSafe® ULTRA
SoundSafe Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is an acoustic barrier material used to reduce sound transmission through walls, floors, and ceilings. It is a dense, flexible material made from PVC combined with mineral additives such as barium sulfate or calcium silicate, and reinforced with high-strength knit polyester fabric.
Released in 2023 after years of research, engineering, and development, SoundSafe Ultra adds CAN ULC S102 to the series’ NFPA 701, UL 94, and ASTM E84 ratings.
Where It's Used
MLV can be used across a range of noise-control applications
01. Home & Commercial Construction
02. Automotive
Noise Control.
03. Industrial Noise
Control
Where It's Used
Blocking noise through mass, not just material.
MLV blocks sound because of its density. Mass is the mechanism — the heavier the barrier, the more sound transmission loss it delivers. The material is also flexible rather than rigid, which keeps it from resonating and passing energy through. Sound that does not pass through is reflected by the material’s mass and damping properties.
It is worth being precise about what this means. A barrier stops sound from moving between spaces. An absorber controls reverberation inside a space. They solve different problems, and MLV is a barrier. Assemblies that need both use them as separate layers doing separate jobs.
MLV is sold in rolls and sheets and can be cut to the dimensions of the area being treated. It can be layered for additional transmission loss, and it is frequently combined with absorptive materials and sealing details as part of a complete assembly.
Specifications
Product Feature Advantages
- Two standard widths: 54″ and 96″. Custom widths on inquiry
- Weights of 1.0 and 1.5 lb per square foot
- Whole series rated NFPA 701 SS, UL 94 V-0, and ASTM E84
- SoundSafe Ultra adds CAN ULC S102
- Knit polyester reinforced — grommets and fasteners hold without pullout, with no separate reinforcement required
- Service range −20 to 170°F
- Enhanced UV and decorative fabric lamination available
PLAN FOR IT
Weight Is a Design Consideration, Not Just a Spec
| Weight | Typical Use | Handling |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 lb/SF | General purpose. STC 25 alone, STC 30 with gypsum backing | Standard handling |
| 1.5 lb/SF | Maximum standalone transmission loss. STC 30 | Plan lifting and support in advance |
Acoustic Performance
Transmission Loss by Product
| Frequency | 1.0 lbStandalone | 1.0 lb + 5/8″ GypsumAssembly result | 1.5 lbStandalone | ULTRA 1.0 lbStandalone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 9 | 25 | 21 | 16 |
| 250 Hz | 15 | 24 | 20 | 17 |
| 500 Hz | 21 | 28 | 26 | 22 |
| 1000 Hz | 27 | 34 | 31 | 27 |
| 2000 Hz | 33 | 36 | 36 | 32 |
| 4000 Hz | 39 | 45 | 41 | 37 |
| 5000 Hz | — | 48 | 43 | 39 |
| STC | 25 | 30 | 30 | 26 |
SoundSafe is manufactured in the United States and the series is Build America, Buy America compliant. On federally funded work that removes a qualification question. On everything else it removes the lead time and tariff exposure that comes with imported material. Domestic production also means custom widths and colors are available runs, not overseas special orders.
Acoustic Performance Data
| Property | 1/2 lb | 1.0 lb | 1.5 lbs | ULTRA (1.0 lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base fabric | 2.6 oz/yd² polyester | Polyester | Polyester | Polyester |
| Standard color | Black/ Black | Grey/ Black | Grey/ Black | Natural/ Natural |
| Product width | 54 and 96 in | 54 to 96 in | 54 to 96 in | 54 in |
| Composite weight | 74.0 oz/yd² | 144.0 oz/yd² | 218.0 oz/yd² | 144.0 oz/yd² |
| Composite weight | 0.5 lb/SF | 1.0 lb/SF | 1.5 lb/SF | 1.0 lb/SF |
| Thickness | 55 mils | 110 mils | 160 mils | 110 mils |
| Tear strength | 25 lbs MD / 25 TD | 30 lbs | 30 lbs | 30 lbs |
| Breaking strength | 200 lbs MD / 200 TD | 300 lbs | 300 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Elongation | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Adhesion ply | 6 lbs/in | 8 lbs/in | 8 lbs/in | 8 lbs/in |
| Dimensional stability | 3.0% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Specific gravity | 1.8 ± 0.2 | 1.8 ± 0.2 | 1.8 ± 0.2 | 1.8 ± 0.2 |
| Shore hardness | 89 ± 3 | 89 ± 3 | 89 ± 3 | 89 ± 3 |
| Sealing methods | Hot air, wedge | Hot air, wedge | Hot air, wedge | Hot air, wedge |
| Surface burning | NFPA 701 SS, UL 94 V-0 | NFPA 701 SS, UL 94 V-0 | NFPA 701 SS, UL 94 V-0 | NFPA 701 SS, UL 94 V-0, CAN ULC S102, ASTM E84 |
| Temperature range | −20 to 170°F | −20 to 170°F | −20 to 170°F | −20 to 170°F |
| STC | Not published | 25 (30 w/ gypsum) | 30 | 26 |
Sealing: SoundSafe seals by hot air and wedge welding.
Mechanical properties per ASTM D751, except specific gravity (ASTM D792), Shore hardness (ASTM D2240), and dimensional stability on the 0.5 lb (ASTM D1204).
THE FIRE RATING
WHY IT MATTERS?
Compliance with Building Codes
Enhanced Fire Resistance
Improved Occupant Safety
Insurance Requirements
Peace of
Mind
Confidence that the noise control material also meets stringent fire safety standards.
Long-Term
Durability
NFPA 701 SS · UL 94 V0
SoundSafe® Sustainable Series
E Squared also offers the SoundSafe Sustainable series, making it an eco-friendly choice that reduces materials going into landfill. The Sustainable series is available in 1.0 lb/SF and 1.5 lb/SF, and meets NFPA 701 SS and UL 94 V0, with a rating of V-0: burning stops within 10 seconds on a vertical specimen.
Explore Technical Resources
Trusted Across Critical Industries
Made in the USA
SoundSafe is manufactured in the United States and the series is Build America, Buy America compliant. On federally funded work that removes a qualification question. On everything else it removes the lead time and tariff exposure that comes with imported material. Domestic production also means custom widths and colors are available runs, not overseas special orders.
Start Your Project with Confidence
Let’s Build Something That Performs
