Mechanical and acoustic absorption characteristics of UHMWPE weft-knitted structures of flexible porous laminated composites

Abstract

The study investigated the mechanical and acoustic absorption characteristics of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) weft-knitted structures of flexible porous laminated composites. Weft-knitted structure reinforcements were fabricated using UHMWPE filaments, with various yarn fineness, sinking depths, and laminating layers. The acoustic absorption performance of UHMWPE weft-knitted structures of flexible porous laminated composites was evaluated using a standing wave tube system. The results revealed that the acoustic absorption capacity of composites can be enhanced by increasing the thickness of the composites. The acoustic absorption coefficient of RL 400 D three-layered composites was 50% higher than that of the double-layered composites. The response surface methodology analyses results revealed that optimum acoustic absorption at low frequency was attained by the composites at a yarn fineness of 400 D, a sinking depth of 10.5 mm, and double-layered structures. However, response surface analysis at a frequency of 2000 Hz was not significant.

Keywords:

• Weft-knitted structure
• flexible composites
• acoustic absorption
• response surface analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the foundations for financially supporting this research: Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province [E2019208424]; the doctoral program of HEBUST [1181240]; and Youth Talents Plan of Hebei Province.