Sound Absorption Properties of Perforated Recycled Polyurethane Foams Reinforced with Woven Fabric

• Main Authors: Roberto Atiénzar-Navarro, Romina del Rey, Jesús Alba, Víctor J. Sánchez-Morcillo, Rubén Picó
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: sound absorption; textile fabrics; recycled polyurethane foam; finite element
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/2/401

The acoustic properties of recycled polyurethane foams are well known. Such foams are used as a part of acoustic solutions in different fields such as building or transport. This paper aims to seek improvements in the sound absorption of these recycled foams when they are combined with fabrics. For this aim, foams have been drilled with cylindrical perforations, and also combined with different fabrics. The effect on the sound absorption is evaluated based on the following key parameters: perforation rate (5% and 20%), aperture size (4 mm and 6 mm), and a complete perforation depth. Experimental measurements were performed by using an impedance tube for the characterization of its acoustic behavior. Sound absorption of perforated samples is also studied—numerically by finite element simulations, where the viscothermal losses were considered; and analytically by using models for the perforated foam and the fabric. Two textile fabrics were used in combination with perforated polyurethane samples. Results evidence a modification of the sound absorption at mid frequencies employing fabrics that have a membrane-type acoustic response.