Executive summary of Report 1-2022
WP1 Structural and architectural optimization of eco-composite materials
Stage 1/2022, named Structural and architectural optimization of eco-composite materials, within the project PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0292, with the title ” ECO-FRIENDLY COMPOSITES MADE BY 3D PRINTING TECHNIQUES USED FOR SOUNDPROOFING PANELS„, it was composed of four main activities
Activity 1.1, entitled Choosing materials with natural constituents (matrix + reinforcer), resulted in the choice of two materials beeswax and fir resin (as matrix) and a number of 4 materials as reinforcer / hardener (Equiseti herba – grounded horse tail, recycled paper, grounded rice, grounded fir needles) resulting in a number of 7 combinations of composite materials based on beeswax (by varying the constituents).
Activity 1.2, entitled Elaboration of the new architecture of eco-composite materials from recycled materials (cellulose) and beeswax, resulted in obtaining 3 models (moulds) for obtaining new internal architectures (oval profile, triangular profile and corruged profile);
Activity 1.3, entitled Determination of the mechanical properties of the samples of developed eco-composite materials, resulted in the testing and determination of the physico-mechanical properties for a number of 7 composite materials and matrix materials, resulting from the pre-testing of the 10 initial composites.
Activity 1.4, entitled Identification of the physical-thermal behavior of the investigated eco-composite materials. Quantifying the effects of influencing factors. In this activity, all 7 combinations of composite materials and matrix materials were tested with the help of Differential Calorimetry (DSC) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA/TG) in order to thermally characterize the solids for the analysis of energetic effects such as: melting behavior or crystallization, solid-solid transformations, polymorphism, determination of specific heat, etc.
Thus, it was determined that the highest stability among wax composites is the Beeswax composite (55.55%) + recycled paper (44.45%) and the lowest mass loss is the Beeswax composite (28%) + fir resin (28%) + recycled paper (44%).
From the analysis of the above, we consider that all the activities proposed in Stage 1-2022 have been carried out in proportion to 100%.
Executive summary of Report 2-2023
WP2 Development the multi-use mold
Stage 2/2023, named Designing and obtaining with the help of 3D additive technology a multifunctional profiled mold, within the project PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0292, with the title ” ECO-FRIENDLY COMPOSITES MADE BY 3D PRINTING TECHNIQUES USED FOR SOUNDPROOFING PANELS„, was composed of four main activities.
Activity 2.1 entitled „Design of sound-absorbing panels obtained by 3D printing” resulted in a number of more than 30 models of sound-absorbing panels, thus resulting in a number of more than 200 sound-absorbing panels.
Activity 2.2 entitled „Designing the multi-use profiled mold” resulted in a number of over 25 molds from which a number of over 45 models of sound-absorbing panels from natural composite materials were obtained.
Activity 2.3 entitled „Determining the coefficients of sound absorption and the impedance of the obtained panels”, a number of over 45 sound-absorbing panels made of natural composite materials as well as a number of over 200 models of sound-absorbing panels were tested obtained directly from CAD models and 3D printed.
Activity 2.4 entitled „Identification, determination and quantification of the influencing factors on the sound-absorbing properties of the obtained panels” resulted in a number of 4 factors that influence the acoustic properties in the case of sound-absorbing panels made of natural composite materials as well as a number of 6 factors that influences the acoustic properties in the case of sound-absorbing panels obtained directly from CAD models and 3D printed.
For Stage 2/2023, the objective regarding the dissemination of the project results in the specialized literature was achieved in a proportion of 100% by publishing two articles in rated journals Q1 and in advance, the proposed objective regarding the presentation of a paper at an international conference was fulfilled (proposed in stage 3/2024).
From the analysis of the above, we believe that all the activities proposed in Stage 2-2023 have been carried out in proportion to 100%.
Executive summary of Report 3-2024
WP3 Feasibility study and development of the optimized structure
Stage 3/2024, named ,,Feasibility Study and the development of optimized panel structures which includes four activities’’, within the project PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0292, with the title ” ECO-FRIENDLY COMPOSITES MADE BY 3D PRINTING TECHNIQUES USED FOR SOUNDPROOFING PANELS„, was composed of four main activities.
A3.1 Feasibility study and determination of the optimal solution for the sound-absorbing panels studied
In the case of obtaining 3D printed sound-absorbing panels, the design of the samples was made with the help of SolidWorks 2016 software according to the specific standards of acoustic testing, and then more than 15 models of samples were printed and acoustically tested (with different internal configurations, different panel thicknesses, printing with nozzles of different diameters, materials of different densities or different printing speeds) resulting in a number of more than 300 samples.
Following the critical analysis of the results obtained within all the activities carried out regarding the obtaining of sound-absorbing panels using 3D printing technology with filament, recommendations were made for obtaining very good results (sound absorption coefficient between 0.95 and 0.99).
In the case of obtaining sound-absorbing panels from eco-composite materials using 3D printing technologies of the necessary molds, their design was made with the help of SolidWorks 2016 software more than 10 mold models (different pin configurations, pin size, their shape, their number and arrangement in the x-y plane) resulting in a number of more than 100 samples.
Finally, the shape (rhombus with rounded tips) and the dimensions of the mold pins were determined (larger dimensions to obtain the core from recycled cellulose and smaller to obtain the composite panel and the „covering” with a liquid mixture of beeswax+fir resin+ ground horsetail), resulting in an eco-composite panel with a sound absorption coefficient of 0.99
A3.2 Development and acquisition of optimized sound-absorbing panels
In the end, nine independent sound-absorbing panels with well-defined properties, the internal architecture, the density of the material used and the value of the coefficient α (sound absorption coefficient) were presented, panels obtained directly from CAD models.
In parallel, research was carried out on obtaining sound-absorbing panels from eco-composite materials with the help of 3D printed molds and which can also be applied at an industrial level.
A3.3 Drafting and submitting an international patent proposal
The proposed objective of filing an international patent application was achieved by filing the following applications:
1. OSIM – patent application for the invention, ,,PROCEDEU ȘI MATERIAL ECO-COMPOZIT PENTRU REALIZAREA PANOURILOR FONOIZOLATOARE’’, a 2024 00099 (national patent application)
2. OSIM – PATENT APPLICATION FOR „ECO-COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SOUND INSULATING PANELS”, PCT/RO2024/000011 (international patent application)
For Stage 3/2024, it was proposed to publish an ISI article in Q1 or Q2 journals, support a scientific paper in an international conference as well as submit an international patent application.
The objective regarding the dissemination of the project results in the specialized literature was 100% achieved and exceeded by the publication of two articles in Q1 and Q2 rated journals.
A3.4 Elaboration of the final activity report.
The final report for the entire period of the project was developed and the achievements were briefly presented in comparison with the initial project proposal.
From the analysis of the above, we consider that all the activities proposed in Stage 3-2024 have been carried out in proportion to 100%, as well as exceeding the number of publications/presentations at international conferences.
WP4 Project management