Publication: Structure-properties relationship of crosslinked polyethylene foams for sound insulation application
Date
2012-07-01
Authors
Abdul Sabian, Ahmad Faiz
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Abstract
The purpose of this project is to study the structure-properties relationship of the cross-linked polyethylene foams for sound insulation application. The structure properties of this foam were varied by changing the parameters such as ADC concentration (4, 6, and 8phr), DCP concentration (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 phr) and foaming temperature (165°C, 175°C and 185°C). The compounds were prepared using heated two roll mill and then, undergo foaming process via compression moulding using single stage process. From this study, it was observed that by increasing the ADC concentration and foaming temperature, the relative density was reduced. For the morphology characterization, the cell size was increased, but reducing in cell wall thickness and number of cells per unit volume. When ADC concentration was increased, the melt viscosity was reduced and more gas was subsequently generated. Thus, allows more foam expansion during foaming processing. When increasing the DCP concentration, the relative density, cell wall thickness and number of cells per unit volume were increased. However, the cell size was decreased. More crosslinking occur in higher DCP concentration resulting higher melt viscosity. This condition will restrict the expansion of the foam. Based on the result obtained, the larger cell size improves the absorption coefficient. However, the average absorption coefficient peak value for all different parameters shows below 0.5 or 50% of sound absorption capabilities ranged from 3000 Hz to 7000 Hz of frequencies. Thus, shows that the cross-linked LDPE foam has poor capabilities for sound insulation.