Mechanical, thermal and acoustical evaluation of biocomposites made of agricultural waste for ceiling tiles

This work deals with experimental research about acoustic panels made of agricultural waste to be used as ceiling tiles, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials. The raw materials used in this work were rice husk, vine pruning residues, cork (white cork, virgin cork, and expanded cork), and prickly pear. All of them were bonded with a water-based acrylic resin in different proportions. The obtained panels were mechanically, thermally and acoustically tested. The flexural and the dynamic modulus of elasticity, as well as other important physical properties, such as open porosity, tortuosity or flow resistivity, and thermal conductivity, were obtained. The sound absorption coefficient of the biocomposites was experimentally measured, using an impedance tube, and modeled, using the Zwikker and Kosten model, over the frequency range from 200 Hz to 6400 Hz. The results showed values of sound absorption coefficients close to 0.80 and acceptable flexural strength for their use as suspended ceiling tiles. Therefore, these new categories of biocomposites provide sustainable bio-based materials that can be an alternative to the traditional acoustic ceiling panels, mainly composed of synthetic fibers or foams and petroleum-based resins. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the use of agricultural waste to create acoustic panels for ceiling tiles, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional building materials. The panels, made from materials such as rice husk, vine pruning residues, cork, and prickly pear, were bonded with a water-based acrylic resin. The mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties of the panels were tested and evaluated. The results showed a high sound absorption coefficient and acceptable flexural strength, making them suitable for use as suspended ceiling tiles. These biocomposites provide a sustainable solution compared to traditional synthetic and petroleum-based acoustic ceiling panels.