The effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nanosilica (nano SiO2) content on physico-mechanical properties of glass microspheres-epoxy resin composite, designed for blast energy absorbing applications, was evaluated experimentally. Specific porous lightweight foam with high volume fraction of microspheres (70 vol.%) was prepared and modified by 1 to 5 vol.% of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nanosilica. Compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted at quasi-static load. Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar apparatus was used to obtain high velocity characteristics of the materials. The relative absorbed energy was calculated to assess the relation between the composition of the material and its shock wave attenuation capacity. The mixtures containing nanosilica exhibited an increasing trend in the energy absorption capacity with increasing nanoparticle content up to 4 vol.%. The addition of carbon nanotubes also increased absorbed energy (again up to 4 vol.%, a significant drop was observed at higher concentrations). Comparing the values of the relative absorbed energy, the carbon nanotubes composites prevail over the nanosilica modified ones.

Presented article deals with sound insulation properties of timber structures' envelope walls. Particularly, the influence of heavy board ventilated façade on laboratory airborne sound insulation R and Rw in dB was studied. The installation method and gaps between façade boards can cause building defects originating in overrating the influence of ventilated cladding on envelope wall acoustic parameters. Real constructions were built for the experimental purposes and measurements, one with gaps between boards and one with simply eliminated gaps for mutual comparison. The results obtained were processed to make tables and graphs and to derive recommendations for the design of this type of constructions involving the general installation method of façade boards. Detailed results are depicted in conclusions.

The effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes content on physico-mechanical properties of glass microspheres-epoxy resin syntactic foam was evaluated experimentally. Syntactic foam with high volume fraction of microspheres (70 vol%) was prepared and modified by 1 to 5 vol% of multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The compressive, flexural and impact strength tests were conducted, the load-displacement curves were captured. The quality of dispersion of nanoparticles was evaluated in relation to the mixing procedure using scanning electron microscope observation.

Energy-absorbing materials represent an important group of products in the field of increasing the safety of citizens. Research and development including physical properties testing leads to improvement of these materials and protective constructions. Two types of fillers were chosen for testing: macro and microfillers, together with a two-component polyurethane binder. Different recipes of energy absorbing materials were tested and the resulting physico-mechanical properties, namely bulk density and flexural, compressive and impact strength, are listed in this article. Deformation curves were recorded during pressure loading of materials with macrofillers incorporated. Based on these curves, the rate and mode of energy absorption can be predicted. Most samples underwent the Split-Hopkinson pressure bar test which was the crucial method for the determination of impact energy absorption.

The effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nanoSiO2content on physico-mechanical properties of glass microspheres-epoxy resin composite, designed for blast energy absorbing applications, was evaluated experimentally. Specific porous lightweight foam with high volume fraction of microspheres (70 vol.%) was prepared and modified by 1 to 5 vol.% of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nanosilica (nanoSiO2). Two types of microsperes with different wall thickness and strength were used. The quality of dispersion of nanoparticles was evaluated in relation to the mixing procedure using scanning electron microscope observation. The compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted at quasi-static load. The mixtures containing nanosilica exhibited an increasing trend in both flexural and compressive strength with increasing nanoparticle content up to 4 vol.%. The addition of carbon nanotubes also increased flexural strength (again up to 4 vol%, crossing this concentration, the significant drop was observed), whereas the compressive strength was affected at lower level. Nanoparticle modification is more effective in the foams with higher thickness and thus strength. The evaluation of test results showed that the properties of glass/epoxy foams can be tailored by adding nanoscale fillers.