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The acoustic properties of latex foam made from deproteinized natural rubber latex and epoxidized natural rubber latex

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Abstract

Acoustic foam materials are used to control noise pollution in a wide range of applications, including buildings and the transportation industry. This study explores the feasibility of replacing conventional acoustic foam made of synthetic material with natural rubber (NR) latex foam. The acoustic properties of two types of specialty NR latex foams, deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) latex foam and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex foam, were investigated using an impedance tube according to ISO 10534-2. It was found that the sound transmission loss (STL) performance is directly proportional to the thickness and density of the latex foam samples. A comparison between ENR, DPNR, and LATZ latex foams showed that the ENR foam exhibits the highest STL curve at all thickness and density levels. The sound absorption coefficient (SAC) performance was assessed at low and high frequencies. At low frequencies, the SAC was found to be affected by the density and thickness levels of the materials, whereas at higher frequencies, it was the morphological characteristics that influenced the SAC. The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) was used to evaluate the overall noise absorption performance of the foams. It was found that high-density DPNR latex foam exhibits a higher NRC value than high-density ENR latex foam. Overall, both ENR and DPNR latex foams meet the specifications for acoustic applications in buildings and the transportation industry, making them strong contenders for the next generation of environmentally friendly acoustic foams.

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Acknowledgements

This study is part of a Ph.D. study. The authors are grateful for the financial support and facilities provided by the Malaysian Rubber Board and the University of Nottingham. The authors also thank Ahmad Syaheer Abu Aswad, Hishamudin Samat, and Mohd. Affarizan Zainal Anuar for their technical assistance during the duration of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technology and Engineering Division, Malaysian Rubber Board, Selangor, Malaysia

    Roslim Ramli, Shamsul Kamaruddin & Fatimah Rubaizah Mohd. Rasdi

  2. Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Roslim Ramli, Ai Bao Chai & Jee Hou Ho

  3. Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Roslim Ramli & Davide S. A. De Focatiis

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  1. Roslim Ramli
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Contributions

Conceptualization; [RR, ABC, SK, JHH, FRMR, DDF]; methodology: [RR, ABC, SK, FRMR] formal analysis and investigation: [RR, ABC, SK, JHH, FRMR, DDF]; writing—original draft preparation: [RR, ABC]; writing—review and editing: [RR, ABC, SK, JHH, DDF]; funding acquisition: [RR, ABC, JHH]; resources: [RR, FRMR]; supervision: [ABC, SK, JHH, DDF]. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Roslim Ramli.

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Ramli, R., Chai, A.B., Kamaruddin, S. et al. The acoustic properties of latex foam made from deproteinized natural rubber latex and epoxidized natural rubber latex. J Rubber Res 25, 321–336 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00178-z

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