Preparation and Sound Insulation Properties of Thermoplastic Elastomer Composites with CaCO3 Filler

Composites of ceramic powders and an elastomer-based matrix were prepared by mixing $CaCO_3$ powders with polyethylene and polypropylene elastomers, and their mechanical and sound insulation properties were measured. $CaCO_3$ powders with 0.7 ${\mu}m$ and 35 ${\mu}m$ particle size were added to elastomers up to 80 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy photographs showed uniform distribution of the $CaCO_3$ powders in the matrix. While density and surface hardness increased, melt index, tensile strength and elongation of the composites decreased as the amount of added $CaCO_3$ powders increased. As more $CaCO_3$ powders were added sound transmission loss of the composites increased owing to the increase of density. Addition of 0.7 ${\mu}m$ sized $CaCO_3$ powders resulted in a slightly higher transmission loss than the addition of 35 ${\mu}m$ sized powders because of the increased interface area between the elastomer matrix and the $CaCO_3$ powders. Composites with a polyethylene matrix showed higher transmission loss than those with a polypropylene matrix because the tensile strength and hardness of the polyethylene-based composites were low and their elongation was high.

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