Empiric acoustic modeling of open-cell polyolefin foams

Open-cell polyurethane (PU) foams are widely used in sound absorption applications. However, PU presents critical limitations, such as the toxicity of the fumes released when they are burnt, which makes necessary the search of potential substitutes to them. Open-cell polyolefin foams have emerged as potential alternative to open-cell PU foams. In this paper, the sound absorption properties of different materials developed from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) are studied. Experimental measures have been carried out to determine the characteristic wave impedance, propagation constant and porosity of these materials. Modelling of the acoustic behavior has been done using different models.