FLY ASH-BASED AEROGEL REINFORCED WITH POLYESTER FIBRES FOR REMARKABLE THERMAL AND ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES

Abstract

A nonconventional material with remarkable thermal and acoustic insulation properties from aerogels category was experimentally made. Produced from a recycled commercial waste (polyethylene terephthalate-PET) and an industrial by-product (fly ash) as well as a biomaterial (psyllium husk) used for the first time as a binder by mixing with water, the aerogel was subjected to a freeze-drying process. The determination of the product characteristics highlighted extremely low densities (0.022-0.041 g·    cm^-3), very low thermal conductivities (0.035-0.037 W·m^-1·K^-1), very high porosities (97.8-98.5 %), mechanical properties superior to those of an unreinforced gel (compression strength of 9.5-16.4 kPa and Young's modulus of 4.15-18.93 kPa), and excellent noise absorption properties (noise reduction coefficient of 0.30-0.33). The manufacturing process of this inexpensive product allows for a clean environment.