Abstract: An acoustically insulated machine including a source of noise positioned within a housing, a first insulation member positioned within the housing and including a first porous sound absorbing layer and a first dense layer, and a second insulation member positioned within the housing and including a second porous sound absorbing layer and a second dense layer. The first insulation member being is positioned closer to the internal source of noise than the second insulation member and the first insulation member being spaced apart from the second insulation member such that an air gap is formed between the first insulation member and the second insulation member.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric includes flame retardant fibers and binding fibers mixed with the flame retardant fibers. The binding fibers set a thickness of the fabric. Application of a flame to the fabric causes the binding fibers to degrade and the flame retardant fibers to expand such that the thickness of the fabric increases, for example by a factor of two or more. The non-woven fabric can be used in a wide variety of different applications. For example, the non-woven fabric may be used to make seals of a drier, heat shields, fire barriers, and/or vents.