Optimization of sound absorption property for polyurethane foam using adaptive simulated annealing algorithm

Polyurethane foam is one of the sound absorbing materials because of its advantage in lightweight, sound absorption and low cost. Therefore, it is important to optimize the formulation for better sound absorption performance. In this study, experimental optimization was carried out with a response surface methodology to investigate the effects of different variables including catalyst triethanolamine, catalyst A33, and additive polyethylene fiber. The mathematical model was developed for correlating experimental data. The model parameters were optimized by adaptive simulated annealing algorithm. The maximum acoustic property of the foams was found to be 0.68 by adding 3.2 g triethanolamine, 1.0 g A33, and 0.1 g polyethylene fiber. Then, the polyurethane foam was synthesized according to the optimization results. The sound absorption coefficient of it is within the allowable error of the optimization result. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46426.