Preliminary study of acoustic and physical properties of foamed paper mill sludge panels

Abstract

This preliminary study investigates the acoustic and related physical properties of panels manufactured from modified paper mill sludge (PMS) using a foaming technique. PMS is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, presents significant disposal challenges but offers potential as a sustainable raw material for sound absorption applications. In this work, foamed panels were produced by introducing foaming agents in the sludge matrix to reduce density and enhance sound absorption. The panels were characterized for key physical properties, including density, porosity and sound absorption coefficient in frequency range from 200–5000 Hz. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis were performed. The initial results indicate that the foaming process significantly improves porosity and reduces panel weight, contributing to enhanced acoustic absorption compared to non-foamed PMS panels. These findings suggest that new foamed paper mill sludge panels could serve as an eco-friendly alternative for sound absorption applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the foaming influence on acoustic and related parameters of PMS panels.