Thermoplastic polyurethanes/polyester/polypropylene composites: Effect of thermoplastic polyurethanes honeycomb structure on acoustic-absorbing and cushioning property

Abstract

A new acoustic absorbing/cushioning composite is fabricated by thermoplastic polyurethanes honeycomb structure – thermoplastic polyurethane honeycomb cushion and grid, and composite nonwoven in this study. Composite nonwoven is composed of different layers of polyester/polypropylene nonwoven and polyester nonwoven. Research result shows that layer combination of polyester/polypropylene nonwoven and polypropylene nonwoven affects acoustic absorption and thermal conductivity of resulting composite nonwovens. The thermal conductivity of composite nonwovens decreases to 0.02213 W/(m K), showing excellent thermal-insulating property. Honeycomb structure–thermoplastic polyurethane honeycomb cushion and grid broadens the acoustic absorbed frequency and improves the mid- and high-frequency absorption coefficient and cushioning property of thermoplastic polyurethane/polyester/polypropylene composites. Incorporation of different honeycomb structure into composite nonwovens presents diversified acoustic-absorbing characteristic profiles. The resulting 35-mm-thick thermoplastic polyurethane/polyester/polypropylene composites absorb 85% acoustic waves at 1250 Hz and 94.2% at above 2000 Hz as well as 92.88–96.59% impact energy. Therefore, it becomes an excellent alternative for protective wall in kindergarten and gerocomium and compartment wall in the building.