The effect of production parameters of thermoplastic foams on sound insulation performance

Thermoplastic polymer-based foam materials are frequently used because of their superior sound and heat insulation, low density, chemical stability, vibration damping, recycling, and rework. In this study, low-density polyethylene material (LDPE) was foamed in the thermoplastic materials group. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) was used as the foaming agent. In addition, certain amounts of talc, glycerol monostearate (GMS), and zinc additive were added to the foam material to ensure cell stability. By mixing these materials, polymer foam production was realized. The formed polymer foam cell geometry, cell size, and cell spaces are examined. Different experiments were carried out by changing the amount of material required for polymer foam production and the parameters determined for the experiment separately. As a result of these experiments, the optimum polymer foam production was realized. Compression properties of foam materials were determined by compression tests, and insulation properties were determined by impedance tests. The resulting results were examined, and ideal foam components ratios were obtained.