Sound absorption of cellular metals with semiopen cells

A combined experimental and theoretical study is presented for the feasibility of using aluminum foams with semiopen cells for sound-absorption applications. The foams are processed via negative-pressure infiltration, using a preform consisting of water-soluble spherical particles. An analytical model is developed to quantify the dependence of pore connectivity on processing parameters, including infiltration pressure, particle size, wetting angle, and surface tension of molten alloy. Normal sound-absorption coefficient and static flow resistance are measured for samples having different porosity, pore size, and pore opening. A theory is developed for idealized semiopen metallic foams, with a regular hexagonal hollow prism having one circular aperture on each of its eight surfaces as the unit cell. The theory is built upon the acoustic impedance of the circular apertures (orifices) and cylindrical cavities due to viscous effects, and the principle of electroacoustic analogy. The predicted sound-absorption coefficients are compared with those measured. To help select processing parameters for producing semiopen metallic foams with desirable sound-absorbing properties, emphasis is placed on revealing the correlation between sound absorption and morphological parameters such as pore size, pore opening, and porosity.     

General regression neural network for prediction of sound absorption coefficients of sandwich structure nonwoven absorbers

In this paper, we propose a more general forecasting method to predict the sound absorption coefficients at six central frequencies and the average sound absorption coefficient of a sandwich structure nonwoven absorber. The kernel assumption of the proposed method is that the acoustics property of sandwich structure nonwoven absorber is determined by some easily measured structural parameters, such as thickness, area density, porosity, and pore size of each layer, if the type of the fiber used in nonwoven is given. By holding this assumption in mind, we will use general regression neural network (GRNN) as a prediction model to bridge the gap between the measured structural parameters of each absorber and its sound absorption coefficient. In experiment section, one hundred sandwich structure nonwoven absorbers are particularly designed with ten different types of meltblown polypropylene nonwoven materials and four types of hydroentangled E-glass fiber nonwoven materials firstly. Secondly, four structural parameters, i.e., thickness, area density, porosity, and pore size of each layer are instrumentally measured, which will be used as the inputs of GRNN. Thirdly, the sound absorption coefficients of each absorber are measured with SW477 impedance tube. The sound absorption coefficient at 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz and their average value are used as the outputs of GRNN. Finally, the prediction framework will be carried out after the desired training set selection and spread parameter optimization of GRNN. The prediction results of 20 test samples show the prediction method proposed in this paper is reliable and efficient.     

Microstructure based model for sound absorption predictions of perforated closed-cell metallic foams

Closed-cell metallic foams are known for their rigidity, lightness, thermal conductivity as well as their low production cost compared to open-cell metallic foams. However, they are also poor sound absorbers. Similarly to a rigid solid, a method to enhance their sound absorption is to perforate them. This method has shown good preliminary results but has not yet been analyzed from a microstructure point of view. The objective of this work is to better understand how perforations interact with closed-cell foam microstructure and how it modifies the sound absorption of the foam. A simple two-dimensional microstructural model of the perforated closed-cell metallic foam is presented and numerically solved. A rough three-dimensional conversion of the two-dimensional results is proposed. The results obtained with the calculation method show that the perforated closed-cell foam behaves similarly to a perforated solid; however, its sound absorption is modulated by the foam microstructure, and most particularly by the diameters of both perforation and pore. A comparison with measurements demonstrates that the proposed calculation method yields realistic trends. Some design guides are also proposed.     

高浓度润滑油对泡沫金属池沸腾特性的影响

实验研究了高油浓度的制冷剂/油混合物在泡沫金属加热表面池沸腾换热特性。使用三种泡沫铜作为加热表面,其参数分别为10ppi/90%孔隙率、10 ppi/95%孔隙率和30 ppi/98%孔隙率,厚度均为10 mm。制冷剂为R113,润滑油为VG68,油浓度为0%～40%。实验结果表明,泡沫金属总是强化池沸腾换热,换热系数最多提高450%;润滑油恶化制冷剂在泡沫金属加热表面池沸腾换热,换热系数最多降低90%。开发了高油浓度的制冷剂/油混合物在泡沫金属加热表面池沸腾换热关联式,预测值与95%的实验值误差在±30%以内。     

单层元胞结构金属泡沫的透射特性

本文构建了开孔泡沫铝的简化几何模型,并利用有限积分法模拟了具有单层元胞结构的金属泡沫材料在线性极化平面波垂直入射情况下的透射率。基于菲涅耳-基尔霍夫衍射理论分析了孔隙率、孔径尺寸、材料厚度和骨架结构对金属泡沫材料辐射特性的影响。当尺度参数较大时,金属泡沫材料的固相支架结构满足良导体条件,宏观电磁屏蔽效应显著,金属泡沫材料呈现"非透明"性质。随着入射电磁波波长逐渐接近于孔径尺寸,散射效应越来越显著,金属泡沫材料的"半透明"性质开始显现,不同孔隙率的金属泡沫材料的透射率以相近的规律随波长变化。随着波长的进一步减小,衍射效应对于金属泡沫材料透射特性的影响逐渐占据主导地位,采用菲涅耳-基尔霍夫衍射理论可以较好地描述透射能流在孔隙结构内的分布。当衍射效应占据主导地位时,对于相同孔隙率金属泡沫材料,孔径尺寸对衍射光学行为影响不大,而材料厚度、孔隙率和骨架结构会显著影响金属泡沫材料的透射率。     

低密度三羟甲基丙烷三丙烯酸酯泡沫的研制

 以三羟甲基丙烷三丙烯酸酯（TMPTA）为原料,结合紫外光固化及冷冻干燥工艺,成功制备了密度在4～20 mg/cm³、可自支撑的TMPTA泡沫柱。试验研究发现,泡沫的收缩导致实际密度与理论密度的比值大于1,且随理论密度的增加而减小;热失重测试表明泡沫的热分解温度达到290 ℃;SEM测量表明泡沫具有均匀、开放的网络结构。压汞仪测试表明泡沫的孔径主要分布在3.0～7.5 mm之间,平均孔径为7.37 mm。TMPTA泡沫柱已成功地应用于近年的Z箍缩物理试验中。     

Morphology and Pore Size Distribution of Biocompatible Interconnected Porous Poly(L-lactic acid) Foams with Nanofibrous Structure Prepared by Thermally Induced Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation

Biocompatible, highly interconnected microporous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) foams with nanofibrous structure, containing pores with average diameter below 1 μm and fibers with diameters of 10² nm scale, were prepared through the thermally induced liquid–liquid phase separation (TIPS) method consisting of quenching of the PLLA solution, freeze extraction with ethanol, and vacuum drying. Diverse foam morphologies were obtained by systematically changing parameters involved in the TIPS process, such as polymer concentration, solvent composition, and quenching temperatures. The morphology of different foams was examined by scanning electron microscopy to characterize the pore size and the pore size distribution. The results showed that most porous foams had a nanofibrous structure with interconnected open pores. In the case of using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as solvent, the higher the PLLA concentration, the smaller the average pore diameter and the narrower the pore size distribution. In the case of using the mixed solvents of THF/DOX (1,4-dioxane) with higher than 6/4 volume ratio, there appeared a maximum value of average pore diameter and a widest pore size distribution at 0.09 g/mL PLLA concentration. The average pore diameter of the foams increased with increasing DOX content in the mixed solvent and ranged from 0.2 to 0.9 μm depending on the process parameters. When the DOX content reached 60% by volume, the morphology of the foams contained some large closed pores with diameter ranging from 1 to 10 μm. By decreasing the quenching temperature, the average pore diameter of foams decreased and the pore size distribution became narrower. All the pore size distribution fit F-distribution equations.     

Porous metal absorbers for underwater sound

Rubber has traditionally been used for underwater sound absorption. Porous metal is a relatively lightweight material and also has higher strength than rubber. However, exactly how porous metals can be used as effective underwater sound absorbers remains unclear. This paper shows how to use porous metal absorbers so that they work well under water, even under fairly constrained conditions. A method of nondimensional analysis is proposed that allows identification of vital characteristics. This means that such characteristics can be varied and the absorbers themselves filled with different types of viscous fluids. Such analysis suggests that the sound absorption coefficient of porous metals does not always increase when there are either increases in porosity or decreases in average pore size. The same method of analysis can show how, by choice of the right characteristics to choose a suitable viscous fluid, a porous metal absorber can be built that takes up little space but still effectively absorbs underwater sounds at low frequencies.     

Neural networks for prediction of acoustical properties of polyurethane foams

This paper presents a study of neural networks for prediction of acoustical properties of polyurethane foams. The proposed neural network model of the foam uses easily measured parameters such as frequency, airflow resistivity and density to predict multiple acoustical properties including the sound absorption coefficient and the surface impedance. Such a model is quite robust in the sense that it can be used to develop models for many different classes of materials with different sets of input and output parameters. The current neural network model of the foam is empirical and provides a useful complement to the existing analytical and numerical approaches.     

Simulating Solid-Liquid Phase-Change Heat Transfer in Metal Foams via a Cascaded Lattice Boltzmann Model

A cascaded lattice Boltzmann (CLB) model is constructed for simulating heat transfer in metal-foam-based solid-liquid phase change materials (PCMs). The present model captures the phase interface implicitly via the enthalpy methodology, and to avoid iterations in simulations, the CLB equation of the PCM employs the enthalpy as the basic evolution variable through modifying the cascaded collision process. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness and practicability of the CLB model for investigating heat transfer in solid-liquid PCMs with metal foams. The effects of the inertial coefficient, permeability and porosity on the melting process are investigated. The results indicate that the empirical correlations of inertial coefficient and permeability based on packed beds overestimate the melting rate at high porosities. Moreover, the porosity has significant impact on phase-change processes. The melting rate increases as the porosity of the metal foam decreases since heat conduction through high thermal conductive metal foam dominates the total heat transfer.     

Manufacturing and modelling of sintered micro-porous absorption material for low frequency applications

A novel sintering based method to produce thin ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, UHMWPE, absorption material layer to increase absorption at low frequencies is introduced. The experimental impedance tube measurement results show that a 4 mm thick sintered sample layer increases absorption at a low frequency range below 1000 Hz compared with commercial melamine and polyester absorption foam samples. To cover a wider frequency range, multilayer structures composed of a sintered micro-porous material layer and commercial melamine and polyester foam layers are created and examined. The sintered sample layer also increases absorption in multilayer structures at low frequencies. Absorption coefficient values above 0.5 are reached starting from 200 Hz with multilayer structures. Software exploiting Biot’s theory of porous materials has been adopted to fit the experimental absorption data for sintered samples, commercial foams and multilayers. Software based on Biot’s theory was found to deliver quite good correlation with measured absorption coefficient values, with disagreements below 10% between the measured and estimated values.     

Sound absorption characteristics of a high-temperature sintering porous ceramic material

This article is dedicated to sound absorption properties of porous zeolite with macropores, a ceramic material fabricated by high-temperature sintering. Acoustical properties of this ceramic material are studied by two analytical models, Delany–Bazley model and Johnson–Allard model, where the latter one shows a better fit to the experimental results. Moreover increasing the thickness of samples would improve the sound absorption in the low frequency ranges. Raising the porosity could increase the highest sound absorption coefficient. The resonance frequencies of the materials with 3–5 mm particles are more obvious. Comparing with glass wool, porous zeolite has a better sound absorption.     

铁掺杂PMP泡沫制备工艺研究

 以聚-4-甲基-1-戊烯为泡沫骨架，二茂铁为掺杂材料，通过热诱导倒相技术制备出铁掺杂聚合物泡沫。掺杂泡沫的实际密度均高于理论密度，且沿轴向从上至下逐渐增大。在理论密度不变的情况下，掺杂泡沫实际密度随掺杂元素原子百分含量的升高而呈降低趋势。与PMP泡沫相比，掺杂泡沫的孔洞直径分布变宽且网络骨架尺寸有变大的趋势。     

Improving the Sound Absorption Properties of Flexible Polyurethane (PU) Foam using Nanofibers and Nanoparticles

Polyurethane foam as the most well-known absorbent materials has a suitable absorption coefficient only within a limited frequency range. The aim of this study was to improve the sound absorption coefficient of flexible polyurethane (PU) foam within the range of various frequencies using clay nanoparticles, polyacrylonitrile nanofibers, and polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibers. The response surface method was used to determine the effect of addition of nanofi- bers of PAN and PVDF, addition of clay nanoparticles, absorbent thickness, and air gap on the sound absorption coefficient of flexible polyurethane foam (PU) across different frequency ranges. The absorption coefficient of the samples was measured using Impedance Tubes device. Nano clay at low thicknesses as well as polyacrylonitrile nanofibers and polyvinyl fluoride nanofibers at higher thicknesses had a greater positive effect on absorption coefficient. The mean sound absorption coefficient in the composite with the highest absorption coeffi- cient at middle and high frequencies was 0.798 and 0.75, respectively. In comparison with pure polyurethane foam with the same thickness and air gap, these values were 2.22 times at the middle frequencies and 1.47 times at high frequencies, respectively. Surface porosity rose with increasing nano clay, but decreased with increasing polyacrylonitrile nanofibers and polyvinyl fluoride nanofibers. The results indicated that the absorption coefficient was elevated with increasing the thickness and air gap. This study suggests that the use of a combination of nanoparticles and nanofibers can enhance the acoustic properties of flexible polyurethane foam.     

Prediction of aerodynamic noise reduction by using open-cell metal foam

As the speed of high-speed train (HST) increases continuously, aerodynamic noise has become more remarkable compared with the wheel/rail noise, which affects the inhabited environment along the railway and the riding comfort. This paper preliminarily investigates the feasibility of using open-cell metal foam covering layer to reduce the low Mach number aerodynamic noise generated by the flow around a circular cylinder which is the typical section of pantographs. The aerodynamic noises radiated from the circular cylinder with and without metal foam are calculated. The hybrid method combining two-dimensional large eddy simulation (LES) with Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW–H) equation is employed. The calculated Strouhal number, time-averaged drag coefficient, base pressure and overall sound pressure level agree well with some available experimental data. Then, the influences of metal foam porosity, pore density, thickness of covering layer and the speed of train on the aerodynamic noise and the aerodynamic forces are investigated, and some detailed comparisons of flow field are made. The numerical results indicate that as a passive scheme, the open-cell metal foam with high porosity can modify the flow, adjust the vortex shedding frequency and regularize the wake, leading to a significant reduction of aerodynamic noise. The results are expected to provide useful information for the control of aerodynamic noise using this new material.     

The sound speed and attenuation in loose and consolidated granular formulations of high alumina cements

Clinkers of high alumina cements are separated into three granular formulations with particle sizes in the range 0.6-0.71 mm, 0.71-1.18 mm and greater than 1.18 mm. These are used to manufacture consolidated samples of porous concrete in an autoclave. The acoustic and microscopic properties of loose and consolidated porous samples of concrete are investigated using both experimental methods and mathematical modelling. Values of porosity, flow resistivity, tortuosity and parameters of the pore size distribution are determined and used to predict closely the sound speed, acoustic attenuation and normal incidence absorption coefficient of these materials. It is shown that high alumina cements do not require additional binders for consolidation and that the structural bonds in these cements are developed quickly between individual clinkers in the presence of water. The hydration product build-up during the consolidation process is insignificant which ensures good acoustic performance of the consolidated samples resulting from a sufficient proportion of the open pores. The value of porosity in the consolidated samples was found to be around 40%, which is close to that measured in some commercial acoustic absorbers. This work provides a foundation for the development of acoustically efficient and structurally robust materials, which can be integrated in environmentally sustainable concrete and masonry structures.     

Research on the sound absorption performance of metal rubber material

The sound absorption performance of Metal Rubber material was studied theoretically and experimentally. The acoustic impedance rate and the sound absorption coefficient were derived based on the acoustic parameters of metal rubber material. The relation of structure constant, compressibility modulus and structural parameters was investigated experimentally. The results showed that the specimen of metal rubber with the same mean porosity diameter had the same structure constant. For the same structural parameters, the compressibility modulus of metal rubber material was approximately constant in certain frequency range. The calculated acoustic parameters are in good agreement with the experimental results, demonstrating the effectiveness of theoretical models.     

Properties of Absorbent Acrylic Foam Prepared Based on the Method of High Internal Phase Emulsion

Acrylate and methacrylate monomers absorbent acrylate foams were prepared based on the method of high internal phase emulsion (HIPE). The influence of reaction conditions on liquid absorption by acrylate foams was studied. The reaction conditions included monomer ratio, cross-linker amount, initiator amount, emulsifier amount, emulsion concentration, emulsification temperature, and the curing time. The reaction conditions were determined to achieve the best liquid absorption by acrylate foams. Acrylate foams were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that when the monomer ratio was 9:1, cross-linking agent was 30% of monomer amount, initiator amount was 4% of the reactants amount, emulsifier amount was 8% of the reactants amount, the ratio of aqueous phase to oil phase was 32:1, emulsification temperature was 75°C, and curing time was 1.5 h, we could prepare the acrylate foam material with the best liquid absorption. Reaction of monomer and cross-linking agent was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The pore sizes of acrylate foam were between 1 μm and 8 μm according to SEM analysis. This material was very suitable to absorb aqueous fluids.