Microstructure based model for sound absorption predictions of perforated closed-cell metallic foams

J Acoust Soc Am. 2010 Oct;128(4):1766-76. doi: 10.1121/1.3473696.

Abstract

Closed-cell metallic foams are known for their rigidity, lightness, thermal conductivity as well as their low production cost compared to open-cell metallic foams. However, they are also poor sound absorbers. Similarly to a rigid solid, a method to enhance their sound absorption is to perforate them. This method has shown good preliminary results but has not yet been analyzed from a microstructure point of view. The objective of this work is to better understand how perforations interact with closed-cell foam microstructure and how it modifies the sound absorption of the foam. A simple two-dimensional microstructural model of the perforated closed-cell metallic foam is presented and numerically solved. A rough three-dimensional conversion of the two-dimensional results is proposed. The results obtained with the calculation method show that the perforated closed-cell foam behaves similarly to a perforated solid; however, its sound absorption is modulated by the foam microstructure, and most particularly by the diameters of both perforation and pore. A comparison with measurements demonstrates that the proposed calculation method yields realistic trends. Some design guides are also proposed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Acoustics* / instrumentation
  • Computer Simulation
  • Equipment Design
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Metals*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Noise / prevention & control
  • Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted
  • Porosity
  • Pressure
  • Sound*
  • Temperature
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Metals