Acoustic, Mechanical, and Thermal Characterization of Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA)-Based Wood Composites Reinforced with Beech and Oak Wood Fibers

Abstract

Abstract: Considering the growing need for developing ecological materials, this study investigates the acoustic, mechanical, and thermal properties of wood composites reinforced with beech or oak wood fibres. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a complex network of interconnected pores within the composite materials, with varying pore sizes contributing to the material’s overall properties. Acoustic characterization was conducted using a two-microphone impedance tube. The results revealed that the fibre size significantly impacts the sound absorption coefficient, demonstrating that the highest sound absorption coefficient of 0.96 corresponds to the composites reinforced with oak wood fibres with a size of 2 mm in the low-frequency range of 1000–2500 Hz. Mechanical testing revealed a significant reduction in compressive strength as fibre size increased from 0.4 mm to 2 mm, correlating with the observed changes in sound absorption and thermal properties. Thermal analysis indicated thermal conductivity (λ) values ranging from 0.14 to 0.2 W/m·K, with a notable increase in conductivity as fibre size decreased. It was shown that composites reinforced with beech or oak wood fibres with a size of 2 mm are recommendable for insulation materials due to the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.14 W/(m·K). Oak wood composites with a fibre size of 0.4 mm recorded the highest heat capacity, which is 54.4% higher than the one corresponding to the composites reinforced with the largest fibres. The results regarding heat diffusion rates are also reported. The findings about the effects of fibre size and pores on thermal, acoustic and mechanical properties provide valuable insights for designing sustainable materials, offering potential applications in industries where balanced performance across multiple properties is required.