Study of a sustainable solution: A methodology to analyse the vibrational absorption comparing PET wool and glass wool

This work aims to expose a methodology from a vibrational perspective for a comparative analysis between different materials. Also, it proposes the use of the results to substantiate the replacement of the currently used materials for vibrational absorption in structures by ecologically sustainable materials. For this, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wool was selected, which is a material produced from a recycling process of PET mainly found in disposable bottles, in detriment of glass wool, which is largely used in industry. The two materials can be used for thermal, acoustic and vibrational absorption in structures. This paper seeks to compare quantitatively and qualitatively the vibrational characteristics, such as the transmissibility index of PET wool and glass wool. The methodology involved the analyses of the data obtained through a setting with two known masses, eight known springs, a shaker, a signal generator, a power amplifier, two accelerometers and a sample of each studied material with the same geometry. Data was captured using Catman Easy software and treated with MatLab. From this analysis, the vibrational characteristics can be added to the other properties of PET wool and contribute to the greater use of it in industrial and domestic levels.