In recent years, material scientists have been focusing on the utilization of materials from natural resources due to environmental concerns. In the same context, the aim of this work is to evaluate impact response, sound absorption behavior, and vibration damping characteristics of natural-based composite sandwich made of flax as skin reinforcement and agglomerated cork as core. Vacuum bagging method was used for manufacturing composite sandwiches with different cork densities of 240, 280, and 340 kg/m3. Composite sandwiches have also been manufactured by using glass as skin reinforcement for comparison. Low velocity impact test was conducted and found that glass fiber reinforced composite sandwich required 73–77% more energy to perforate when compared to the flax fiber reinforced composite sandwich irrespective of core density. Flax fiber reinforced composite sandwich has 45–96% higher sound absorption capacity and 27–32% higher vibration damping ratio than glass fiber reinforced composite sandwich irrespective of core density. This is due to multiscale structure and cellular nature of the flax fiber and the cork materials, respectively. These enhancements in sound and vibration are accomplished with just little forfeits in perforation energy. This study recommends that, if optimized, the natural-based composite sandwich could be an ecologically appealing answer for automobile and construction applications, where impact behavior is important, along with sound and vibration properties.
The construction industry shows great interest in the use of technologically advanced materials which are light, environmentally friendly, possess high strength and durability for floors, roofs, partitions, etc. Apart from mechanical properties, the material should also possess excellent thermal and acoustic properties. In the same context, the aim of this study is to explore the flexuralstrength, thermal-conductivity, flame resistance, and sound-absorption capabilities of natural based material made with jute fiber and agglomerated cork. The natural based partition wall (jute board [JB]) was manufactured using vacuum bag molding process. Other alternative materials used in this study for comparison are gypsum and particle boards. A flexural test was carried out and it was observed that the JB has 80% of higher flexural strength than other test samples. It is also having lower thermal conductivity of 52.8% and 43.3% than gypsum and particle board, respectively. The JB have 35% and 10% higher sound absorption capabilities than gypsum and particle board, respectively. This is attributed to the multi-scale arrangement and cellular structure of jute fiber and cork material. This study recommends that, if flame resistance of jute fiber is enhanced with help of flame retardants, JB that is, jute/cork sandwich panel could be an environmentally appealing alternative answer for use in the construction of partition walls.
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