Interesting development of orange tree waste turned into the high-performance acoustic insulation…
The “recycled” boards have an acoustic insulation potential of about 29 dBA, which is a difference of 2 dBA (or a 50 percent improvement) on conventional laminated gypsum boards, which are usually rated at 27 dBA. “If we use a double solution material, that is, a material that incorporates two boards and an absorbent wool in between, like a sandwich, the improvement is about 5 or 6 dBA, which means it will insulate more than double the conventional system,” Dr Alba.
The present paper investigates the acoustic properties of natural fiber reinforced composites. Fibers from orange tree pruning were obtained and subject to different treatments in order to obtain mechanical, thermomechanical and chemi-thermomechanical pulps. These pulps were used as reinforcement for a polypropylene matrix. The obtained composite materials were submitted to acoustical tests in an impedance tubes device. The transmission losses obtained against the fiber content were obtained and discussed. Latter it was researched the influence of the fiber treatments on the soundproof characteristics. A numerical method was used to preview the acoustic insulation of the materials against the sound frequency. Finally the results were compared with that of the most usual lightweight soundproof solutions.
- Agroforestry waste orange tree pruning are used as reinforcement.
- The tested composites showed better insulation than common solutions.
- The tested materials are due to be used as light sound insulation solutions.