Investigation of structural parameters of acoustic panels produced from post-industrial textile wastes containing different raw materials

Abstract

Although noise pollution appears to be a minor issue, it worsens as a result of urbanization and population growth. Unwanted noises have a wide range of negative effects, including anxiety, hostility, high blood pressure, tinnitus, hearing loss, and sleep difficulties. The researchers are compelled to conduct a creative search in order to uncover future environmental solutions due to the noise problem, which is becoming each day worse. Moreover, the textile sector, which is growing day by day, generates huge amounts of waste with the effect of fast fashion trend. The objective of this study is to develop ecofriendly acoustic panels utilizing recycled textile waste and thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) fibers. Within the scope of the study, waste fabrics made of viscose, lyocell, flax, cotton, and polyester are shredded into fibers, and sandwich panels including waste fibers bonded together with PP fibers are generated using the hot press technique. In addition to the use of natural and synthetic fibers, the effects of surface shape (perforated-imperforated) and layer thickness (5 mm and 10 mm) on acoustic performance are examined. The results of the sound absorption and sound transmission loss tests reveal that the acoustic properties of the samples improve as the sample thickness increases, but the perforation process does not have the desired favorable impact on samples of the same thickness. Additionally, the outcomes demonstrate that around 2000 Hz, natural and regenerated fibers with high cellulose content had the best sound absorption coefficients around 0.60. The findings indicate that these eco-friendly panels can be used to reduce unwanted noise in open offices, co-working spaces, and meeting rooms.