Acoustic properties of 3D printed bio-degradable micro-perforated panels made of Corkwood Fiber-Reinforced composites

Micro perforated panel (MPP) absorbents promise the next generation of sound absorbers as they have significant advantages over other porous adsorbents. In this study, we will investigate the acoustic performance of MPP absorbents made of biodegradable polylactic acid composite reinforced with natural corkwood fibers (PLA/Corkwood) by 3D printing technology.

First, the effective dimensional characteristics of the parameters were determined, then, all of the samples were fabricated by the Zortrax M200 3D-Printer using the FDM method. The normal incidence sound absorption coefficient of the samples was measured using an acoustic impedance tube according to ISO 10534-2 in the frequency range of 64 to 1600 Hz. Then the effect of four geometric parameters, including hole diameter, panel thickness, perforation ratio, and air gap depth, on the absorption coefficient was studied.

The findings show that the SL-MPP 12 absorbent has the highest average sound absorption coefficient (SACA) with a value of 0.28, so that at a frequency of 804 Hz it has the highest sound absorption equal to 0.91. The parametric study found that as the hole diameter increased, the values of peak adsorption and average absorption coefficient were decreased. Increasing the MPP thickness causes the absorption peak to move towards the lower frequency range. Decreasing the perforation ratio increases the peak absorption values and the average sound absorption, and the frequency with the highest absorption also moves towards the higher frequency range. The resonant frequency also depends on the depth of the air gap behind the screen. Changes in air gap depth from 30 mm to 70 mm reduced the resonant frequency by more than 35%.

Using 3D printing technology, sustainable MPP can be fabricated with more quality and in less time than traditional methods such as mixing and heat pressing.