Sound absorption and thermal insulation properties of composite thermoplastic polyurethane/polystyrene (TPU/PS) nanofiber web and TPU nanofiber web and PS-extracted TPU/PS microfiber web

Abstract

In this study, composite thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/polystyrene (PS) nanofiber web and TPU nanofiber web and PS-extracted TPU/PS microfiber web have been experimentally investigated with regard to sound absorption and thermal conductivity coefficients to observe a potential use in sound and thermal insulation areas. Moreover, other properties such as surface area, morphology, tensile strength/elongation, air permeability, and thermal degradation have been analyzed. It has been observed that nanofiber web properties such as fiber diameter, extensibility, pore volume, and porosity have been clearly changed by Soxhlet extraction of PS from the composite TPU/PS nanofibers. PS-extracted TPU/PS fibers can be preferred for the low frequency (600–800 Hz) due to higher SAC (0.7). On the other hand, TPU nanofibers were more effective at medium frequencies (around 3000 Hz, SAC 0.6). Both TPU and PS-extracted TPU/PS composite fibers had similar thermal conductivities, whereas TPU/PS composite nanofibers had lowest thermal conductivity (0.05 W/mK) with moderate maximum SAC value (around 1000 Hz, SAC 0.5–0.6).

A Biomimetic Textile with Self-Assembled Hierarchical Porous Fibers for Thermal Insulation

“…Other thermal insulating materials including the organic (e.g., PU and PMMA) and inorganic (e.g., SiO 2 -based) aerogels or foams are also shown for comparison. For the aerogels with a similar porosity of around 60%, values for the thermal conductivity are 0.08–0.12 W/mK. ,,,,,− For the cowhide, the thermal conductivity is 0.07 W/mK at 52% porosity, which is also shown inside the drawn ellipse.…”

“…Figure b shows the values of strength versus thermal conductivity for the biomimetic textile (indicated inside the ellipse) and its comparison with other thermal insulating materials. It can be seen that foams or aerogels with excellent thermal insulating behavior may suffer from a low mechanical strength (0.1–3 MPa), ,− ,,,, while the biomimetic textile shows a much higher strength of 10 MPa. Therefore, combining Figure a and Figure b, the biomimetic textile with the hierarchically fibrous structure and cross-scale pores exhibits advantages in both thermal insulation and mechanical strength.…”

Optimization of Electrical, Dielectric, and Electromagnetic Response in Nanocomposite Foam by Balancing Carbon Nanotube Restricted Orientation and Selective Distribution

“…One-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with ultrahigh electrical conductivity are often added to a polymer matrix as carbon conductive particles, − because they are easier to contact with each other to form a network structure, which gives the materials excellent dielectric, conductive, and EM-absorbing properties at a relatively low nanofiller content. − When introducing cells into the nanocomposite, a cellular structure with continuous cell walls separated by air will be formed, and the additives will then be selectively located in the polymer matrix (that is, cell walls isolated by cells). − Therefore, a lower CNT volume content is enough to construct the dielectric response network, conductive network, or EM-absorbing network, compared with bulk materials. − Furthermore, the incorporation of air in nanocomposites decreases the impedance mismatch at the nanocomposite/air interface − and, hence, significantly decreases EM wave reflection. Meanwhile, the introduction of cells in the nanocomposite endows materials with shock absorption, noise reduction, heat insulation, etc. − …”

The effect of silica aerogel on thermal and sound absorption insulation properties of epoxy plate and glass fiber fabric epoxy composite

“…[35][36][37][38][39][40] The need for alternative materials with improved performance in the field of composites has been increasing day by day and new materials are sought to improve sound reduction and termal insulation. 41,42 Noise control plays a key role in order to improve the quality of life by minimizing the noise pollution. However, thermal insulation is also required for promoting human well-being, energy saving, and energy efficiency.…”