Thermal stability and sound absorption in perforated areca sheath-epoxy composite materials

Abstract

The present work emphasizes developing epoxy composites using areca sheath particulates, focusing on improving the thermal and acoustic properties. These composites are developed using conventional methods, and followed by surface modification by different types of perforations using pin perforation techniques. The sound absorption characteristics of these specimens were evaluated using an impedance tube, while thermal stability through thermogravimetric analysis and microstructural properties were analyzed. The results indicate that composite specimens with only half of the area perforated with 1 mm diameter holes demonstrate a superior sound absorption range compared to other specimens. The influence of perforation patterns on specimen surfaces was also studied. Additionally, the thermogravimetric analysis of composites reveals that the developed materials possess significant thermal stability, making them more suitable for thermal and acoustic applications in public buildings and auditoriums than other lightweight composites. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.