The acoustic properties of latex foam made from deproteinized natural rubber latex and epoxidized natural rubber latex

Ramli, Roslim; Chai, Ai Bao; Kamaruddin, Shamsul; Ho, Jee Hou; Rasdi, Fatimah Rubaizah Mohd.; De Focatiis, Davide S. A.

Abstract

Acoustic foam materials are used to control noise pollution in a wide range of applications, including buildings and the transportation industry. This study explores the feasibility of replacing conventional acoustic foam made of synthetic material with natural rubber (NR) latex foam. The acoustic properties of two types of specialty NR latex foams, deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) latex foam and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex foam, were investigated using an impedance tube according to ISO 10534-2. It was found that the sound transmission loss (STL) performance is directly proportional to the thickness and density of the latex foam samples. A comparison between ENR, DPNR, and LATZ latex foams showed that the ENR foam exhibits the highest STL curve at all thickness and density levels. The sound absorption coefficient (SAC) performance was assessed at low and high frequencies. At low frequencies, the SAC was found to be affected by the density and thickness levels of the materials, whereas at higher frequencies, it was the morphological characteristics that influenced the SAC. The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) was used to evaluate the overall noise absorption performance of the foams. It was found that high-density DPNR latex foam exhibits a higher NRC value than high-density ENR latex foam. Overall, both ENR and DPNR latex foams meet the specifications for acoustic applications in buildings and the transportation industry, making them strong contenders for the next generation of environmentally friendly acoustic foams.

Citation

Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Kamaruddin, S., Ho, J. H., Rasdi, F. R. M., & De Focatiis, D. S. A. (2022). The acoustic properties of latex foam made from deproteinized natural rubber latex and epoxidized natural rubber latex. Journal of Rubber Research, 25(4), 321-336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00178-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 19, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 28, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Deposit Date: Nov 29, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Rubber Research
• Print ISSN: 1511-1768
• Electronic ISSN: 2524-3993
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 321-336
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00178-z
• Keywords: Organic Chemistry; Plant Science
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/22351289
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42464-022-00178-z