Investigation of advanced mica powder nanocomposite filler materials: Surface energy analysis, powder rheology and sound absorption performance

Two types of nano/micro sized mica powders for polymer composites, muscovite and phlogopite, were tested for their sound absorption capabilities. Acoustical performance was correlated to surface energy analysis and powder rheology testing. Inverse gas chromatography (iGC) was used to determine the surface energy, with the dominant component being the dispersive component. This reflected the non-polar, hydrophobic, character of the micas. The determined yield locus and Mohr's circles indicated that the material with the highest packing density exhibited more free flowing powder characteristics, compared with the lower packing density materials, which exhibited a greater cohesive powder flow behaviour. All tested mica powders were sensitive to aeration and become fluidised. Based on the acoustical measurements the worst sound absorption performance was found for the highest packing density material exhibiting the highest magnitude of the longitudinal elastic coefficient.