Improving the sound absorbing efficiency of closed-cell foams using shock waves

Producing closed-cell foams is generally cheaper and simpler than open-cell foams. However, the acoustic efficiency of closed-cell foam materials is poor because it is very difficult for the acoustic waves to penetrate the material. A method to remove the membranes closing the cell pores (known as reticulations) and thus to improve the acoustic behavior of closed-cell foam material is presented. The method is based on the propagation of shock waves inside the foam aggregate where both the shock wave generator and the foam are in air at room conditions. Various shock treatments have been carried out on a Polyurethane foams and the following conclusions were drawn: (1) the reticulation rate increases and thus the airflow resistivity decreases while increasing the amplitude of the shock treatment; (2) the softness of the foam increases; (3) the process is reliable and repeatable and (4) the obtained acoustic performance is comparable to classical thermal reticulation.