Thermal and Acoustic Performance of Green Polyethylene/Cork Composite for Civil Construction Applications

Abstract

In this study, green high-density polyethylene (GHDPE) composites with 5, 10 and 15% natural powdered cork (CP) with and without 5% maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) were developed in order to evaluate the potential of these materials for civil construction applications. The composites were produced in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and injection molded. An impedance tube was used to determine the acoustic behavior of the composites, which were then used as ceiling tiles in prototypes of provisional constructions in order to study ascertain their performance with respect to thermal comfort in the City of Teresina, PI -Brazil. Our data indicates that composites sound absorption coefficient values are good between 500 and 1200 Hz, especially for those with a higher percentage of cork, with the lowest absorption rate observed for composites containing PE-g-MA. The composites used in the prototypes provided a decrease in the internal temperature of the built structure.

Characterization of Babassu Mesocarp Flour as Potential Bio-Reinforcement for Poly(Lactic Acid)

“…Typically, it is common to observe fiber contents in the composition of flours. Due to the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste in nature, researchers use sustainable materials to produce new composites or biocomposites (Vargas et al, 2017;ISSN 1948-545X 2023 1 Moura et al, 2018;Oliveira et al, 2019;Vasconcelos et al, 2023). Composite materials represent an ecologically and technically promising option to replace conventional plastics in food packaging.…”