Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

The objective of the proposed research is to develop innovative multifunctional products for acoustics, vibrations and thermal applications in a cost-effective way with recyclable thermoplastic porous/open-celled foams. The overall approach includes: (a) theoretical modeling and designing of acoustic foams with different cellular structure, (b) fabrication of prototype foams with extrusion technology and particulate leaching technique, (c) characterization of prototype foams on their cellular, mechanical, acoustical and thermal properties, (d) correlation of the foams' cellular morphology to their acoustic, vibration and thermal performance, (e) optimization of the design and processing parameters of the foams, and (f) fabrication and performance evaluation of the optimized foam product. The successful accomplishment of the proposed study is expected to have a significant impact on scientific advances and technology improvement on open-cell foaming. The experimental results and the models derived from the research will provide a deep understanding of the correlation between the cellular morphology of the foam and the acoustic and thermal behavior of the foam. Moreover, with the open-cell technologies developed in this project, our industrial partner, the Woodbridge Foam Corporation, will be able to add to their acoustical foam production from non-recyclable PU foams, recyclable thermoplastic foams. This will benefit Canada and the environment by reducing non-recyclable products. In addition, a total of three high quality personnel (HQP) will be trained over the course of the project; they will eventually serve in the Canadian plastics industry and in Canadian research institutions.