New Attenuation Predictive Model for Carbon-Based Nanocomposites

The use of carbon nanofibers (CNF) reinforced composites is popular among several industries such as healthcare, aerospace and defense as they have enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. CNF and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in the composites also improve damping and attenuation. We have been investigating its application for scaffold implants in human airways which undergoes vibratory stress and requires weight-sensitive sound proofing. This paper proposes a predictive model for the attenuation of sound waves through the composite that takes into consideration the Rayleigh scattering function, absorption, resonance and interfacial friction of the embedded fibers. These factors are dependent on the size, thickness, density, porosity, Young Modulus and volume fraction of the nanofibers or nanotubes. CNF reinforced poly-di-methyl-siloxane (PDMS) and single-walled CNT reinforced PDMS composites were investigated. Ultrasonic testing and measurement of sound wave attenuations through the material were done to validate the proposed model and results are shown to be consistent.