Characterization of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) Foam for Thermal Insulation and Sound Absorption Applications in Buildings

Abstract

Exploring new construction materials with low environmental impact leads to innovation in buildings and also to the expansion of environmental sustainability in the construction industry. In this perspective, the thermal insulation and the sound absorption performances of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) foam were analyzed for potential application in buildings. This material is of plant origin, it is natural, renewable, abundant, and has a low environmental impact. In this research, characterizations were made by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), apparent density, thermogravimetry (TGA and DTG), thermal conductivity, and sound absorption. The SEM analysis revealed a predominantly porous, small, and closed-cell morphology in the vegetable foam. Due to its porosity and lightness, the material has an apparent density similar to other thermal insulating and sound-absorbing materials used commercially. The evaluation of thermogravimetric (TGA/DTG) results demonstrated thermal stability at temperatures that attest to the use of Buriti foam as a building material. Based on the thermal conductivity test, the Buriti foam was characterized as an insulating material comparable to conventional thermal insulation materials and in the same range as other existing thermal insulators of plant origin. Concerning sound absorption, the Buriti foam presented a low performance in the analyzed frequency range, mainly attributed to the absence of open porosity in the material. Therefore, understanding the sound absorption mechanisms of Buriti foam requires further studies exploring additional ways of processing the material.

Enhanced sound absorption properties of porous ceramics modified by graphene oxide films

“…Meanwhile, the sound absorption coefficients at 500 Hz with the corresponded thickness are also displayed in Figure 13B. As indicated in these two figures, the RGO/PVA porous ceramics have better NRC values under the same thickness than other sound absorption materials 14,16–20,22,60–73 . In addition, at the same thickness, the RGO/PVA porous ceramics possess an excellent sound absorption coefficient at 500 Hz, indicating this hybrid porous ceramics can be utilized in a low‐frequency range.…”

Characterization of a Thermal Insulating Material Based on a Wheat Straw and Recycled Paper Cellulose to Be Applied in Buildings by Blowing Method

“…These values of thermal stability are slightly lower than other insulation com with lignocellulosic fibers in their composition [49][50][51]. However, the results sugge these materials can be used as a building material, since the stability temperature 260 °C is enough for building applications at low and medium temperatures [52].…”

“…Images (b), (c) and (d) show the porous structure of the wheat straw fiber inside. This porous structure helps to enhance the thermal insulation of wheat straw giving it good properties for insulation material applications [54], because, in general, ma terials with closed pores, such as can be seen in wheat straw, have a lower thermal con ductivity than those with large and open pores [52].…”

Physical Properties and Environmental Impact of Sound Barrier Materials Based on Fly Ash Cenosphere

“…The open pores and the outer surface of the material form a continuous channel. When sound is incident on the surface of the material, the sound energy is converted into heat energy, and the sound energy dissipation is realized [37,38]. In addition, some studies have shown that adding an appropriate amount of glass fiber into concrete can effectively reduce the micro-cracks in concrete materials and improve their crack resistance and toughness [39][40][41].…”