International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-8, Issue-9S3, July 2019
1576
Retrieval Number: I33290789S319/2019©BEIESP
DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.I3329.0789S319
Published By:
Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
& Sciences Publication
Abstract: In physiological health, negative effects are felt when
unwanted noise is present. Given the negative effects of the
unwanted noise, it become important to examine how
environmentally-friendly and efficient sound absorbing materials
could be developed. Some of the materials associated with acoustic
absorption properties entail polymer foams. Particularly, the
foams aid in controlling noise. The central purpose of this study
was to examine renewable polymer (PU) foam composites’ aspects
of moisture content and acoustical properties. Four major
parameters that were evaluated included the thickness of the
sample, the type of filler, the ratio of the fillers, and the nature of
the monomer. A design of experiment (DoE) technique was
employed. To prepare the PUs foams, 28 mm and 100 mm were
selected as diameters for the cylindrical shapes on focus. Plotting
the main effects was achieved through ANOVA, upon which
variations in the role and performance of the selected input factors
were discerned. From the findings, it was established that when
bio-epoxy (B) was used in conjunction with renewable PU foams,
the moisture content was greater than the case involving
petroleum based PU foam synthesis. Hence, renewable PU foam
composite is seen to be realized at 0.9, especially if the filler ratios
and size are increased; with the experimental conditions set at 3
kHz. Overall, the study established that the renewable Pus’ state
of sound absorption exhibits good agreement with the case of
synthetic PU foam.
Index Terms: Acoustic; ANOVA; DoE; PU foams; Renewable
I. INTRODUCTION
Currently, one of the notable environmental pollutants is
noise. With its associated negative effects on the health of the
public, noise refers to an undesirable sound. The long-term
effect entails impaired human lifestyle. Previous studies have
focused on some of the methods through which acoustic
systems could be improved, especially among sound
absorbing materials that aid in improving the quality of
human life [1-5]. The extent to which the sound absorbing
Revised Manuscript Received on July 22, 2019.
Hanani Abdul WahabSustainable Polymer Engineering, Advanced
Manufacturing and Materials Center (SPEN-AMMC), Faculty of
Mechanical and Manufacturing, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia,
86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Anika Zafiah M. Rus,Sustainable Polymer Engineering, Advanced
Manufacturing and Materials Center (SPEN-AMMC), Faculty of
Mechanical and Manufacturing, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia,
86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
M. F. L. Abdullah, Department of Communication Engineering, Faculty
of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn
Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Nur Munirah Abdullah, Sustainable Polymer Engineering, Advanced
Manufacturing and Materials Center (SPEN-AMMC), Faculty of
Mechanical and Manufacturing, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia,
86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
materials could absorb the sound form a major determinant of
their categorization into various groups. In particular, the
materials are expected to reflect minimal sound waves while
ensuring that most of the waves (sound waves) are absorbed
as desired [6].
Hence PU foams (flexible polyurethane) exhibiting high
porosity have gained increasing use towards controlling
noise. They have gained use in industrial scenarios because
of their promising features or properties such as acoustic
absorption properties, excellent viscoelasticity, being light in
weight, and effective sound absorption [7, 8]. However, most
of polyurethane (PU) foams are based of raw materials from
petroleum. Nonetheless, recent environmental issue invokes
studies on bio-based monomers such as palm oil and waste
vegetable oil [9 -11]. Currently, issues of sustainability when
using polymer foams arises thus movements towards the
production of bio-based plastics and composites became an
important aspect. Thus, advancement towards bio-foam is
further focused for better sustainability options. Thus,
advancement towards bio-foam is further focused for better
sustainability options. Additionally, natural fiber use in
relation to PU foam fabrication is increasing. The trend is
associated with the modern technical developments that have
led to the realization of more environmentally friendly and
economical fiber processing techniques, as well as the
biodegradable nature of the natural fibers [12-14].
The DoE experimental approach refers to a technique of
solving problems systematically, especially in the
engineering field. His method incorporates techniques and
principles during the phase of data collection [15]. In one of
the previous studies by P. Muray et al., [16], it was
documented that the DoE optimization technique is
advantageous because it gives insight into a cause and effect
correlation between or among variables, eventually
supporting the processes of input management and
optimization before reaching the production stage [17, 18].
As such, this study applies the DoE’s factorial technique to
gain insight into the operation of various parameters.
Particularly, the approach is applied to the Pus foams to
establish the correlation between factors that affect PU foam
composite responses.
II. METHODOLOGY
As indicated in Figure 1, a one-shot technique was employed
towards polymer preparation. To prepare the composite and
the polymer foam, both the
cross linker and the polyols
were mixed. The ratio at which
Sound Absorption Coefficient and Water
Content Responses in Acoustic Analysis Based
on Renewable Polyurethane Foam Composites
Hanani Abdul Wahab, Anika Zafiah M. Rus, M. F. L. Abdullah, Nur Munirah Abdullah