Optimization of Sound Energy Reduction in the Polycarbonate Plate Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes

TL;DR

This study investigates how adding carbon nanotubes to polycarbonate plates enhances sound insulation by increasing wave reflection and reducing acoustic pressure, especially at frequencies below 1000 Hz, using numerical simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel reinforcement method for polycarbonate sound insulators with carbon nanotubes, analyzed through FEM and FDTDM simulations.

Findings

Increased acoustic wave reflection below 1000 Hz

Decreased acoustic pressure amplitude within the material

Potential application in sound barrier design

Abstract

In order to develop a new method for sound insulation materials reinforcement, in this study, the effect of carbon nanotubes on polycarbonate plates as a sample of materials used in acoustic insulators, have been investigated via numerical methods including finite element method (FEM) and finite difference time domain method (FDTDM). It was observed that the addition of carbon nanotubes to the polycarbonate material at frequencies below 1000 Hz increased the reflection of the acoustic wave from the surface of the polycarbonate plate and also decreased the amplitude of the acoustic wave pressure within the material. Therefore, it can be concluded that the reinforcement of polycarbonate plates by carbon nanotubes can reduce the intensity and help absorption of acoustic energy in the plate, and as a result, reduce the transmitted acoustic energy through the plate at low frequencies. Thereupon, these reinforced polycarbonate plates can be used in situations where a sound-absorbing material is needed next to the reflector material in the sound barriers.