3D Printed Nature Pattern Metastructure for The Sound Absorption Coefficient

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of the shape of 3D printed metastructures on sound absorption performance, focusing on three distinct configurations inspired by nature: honeycomb, spiderweb, and gyroid. The objectives involve designing and producing sound-absorbing structures using the 3D printing Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) method. Simultaneously, the study analyzes and compares their sound absorption performance by considering the sound absorption coefficient and the noise reduction coefficient (NRC) for each pore shape. Using computer-aided software, the three different pore shapes were designed and produced using Polylactic Acid (PLA) material through FDM 3D printing. Each design was replicated at three different thicknesses: 10mm, 20mm, and 30mm, all with a diameter of 94mm. The sound absorption coefficient of the samples was evaluated through impedance tube experiments, collecting data for alpha (α) from 250 Hz to 2000 Hz. Subsequently, NRC values were calculated for four different frequencies: 250Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz, and 2000Hz, ensuring a comprehensive analysis. Results indicate that the gyroid structure exhibited the highest overall sound absorption coefficient across the tested frequency range, followed by the spider-web and honeycomb structures. Additionally, the 30mm thickness demonstrated greater sound-absorbing performance than the 20mm and 10mm thicknesses. These outcomes provide valuable insights into the sound absorption capabilities of 3D printed metastructures, highlighting the superior performance of the gyroid structure. Understanding the impact of pore shape and thickness on sound absorption performance contributes to the development of acoustically optimized materials for various applications