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. 2023 Jan 25;16(3):1060.
doi: 10.3390/ma16031060.

Properties of Sound Absorption Composite Materials Developed Using Flax Fiber, Sphagnum Moss, Vermiculite, and Sapropel

Daira Sleinus  1 , Maris Sinka  2 , Aleksandrs Korjakins  3 , Vaira Obuka  4 , Vizma Nikolajeva  5 , Raitis Brencis  6 , Estere Savicka  7
Affiliations

Properties of Sound Absorption Composite Materials Developed Using Flax Fiber, Sphagnum Moss, Vermiculite, and Sapropel

Daira Sleinus et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

To address the need to reduce consumption and pollution in the industrial sector, composite materials were created using a new type of raw materials-organic lake sediments (sapropel) as a binder; sphagnum moss, flax fiber, and vermiculite as a filler. The main application of these composite materials is for sound absorption and moisture buffering, but since they contain bio-based binders and fillers, they also work as carbon storage. Within the framework of this work, a total of 100 samples of composite materials were created. Fungicides-a biocide quaternary ammonium compound and its natural substitute montmorillonite mineral material were also added to the materials to improve microbiological stability. The mechanical sound absorption and microbiological properties of materials were investigated and compared to similar environmentally friendly materials, such as hemp-lime concrete (FHL), hemp magnesium oxychloride composite (MOC), and hemp magnesium phosphate cement (MPC). The results showed that sound absorption and mechanical and microbial properties of the created composite materials are sufficient for their intended use, with flax fiber and vermiculite composites showing more stable mechanical, sound absorbing, and microbiological stability properties than materials containing flax fiber and moss.

Keywords: environmentally friendly composite materials; hemp; hemp concrete; hempcrete; microbiological stability; sapropel; sound absorption materials.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MSCL No., Latin name, and image of the fungi used in the experiment: (a) MSCL 1346 Aspergillus versicolor; (b) MSCL 281 Penicillium chrysogenum; (c) MSCL 280 Alternaria alternata; (d) MSCL 258 Cladosporium herbarum; (e) MSCL 851 Chaetomium sp.; (f) MSCL 309 Trichoderma asperellum.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Developed material samples: (a) Samples for sound absorption and microbiological resistance tests; (b) Samples for mechanical strength tests.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Sound absorption material from fillers (flax fiber and moss) with sapropel as a binder.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Test of bending resistance of a sample of sapropel, flax fiber, and vermiculite composite materials.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mechanical properties of sapropel composite materials: (a) Bending resistance, MPa; (b) Compressive strength, MPa.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Sound absorption of composite materials without additives: (a) A1; (b) A2.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Sound absorption coefficient for composite materials: (a) Hemp composite materials; (b) Materials containing sapropel, moss, and flax; (c) Materials containing sapropel, vermiculite, and flax.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Sound absorption coefficient for composite materials: (a) Hemp composite materials; (b) Materials containing sapropel, moss, and flax; (c) Materials containing sapropel, vermiculite, and flax.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Rate of fungal spread in samples.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Fungi growth for sample D1 at the end of the incubation period.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Aureobasidium mold sample A1 in a microscope.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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