A waterborne polyurethane‐based noise‐reducing material and factors influencing its damping and noise‐reducing performance

Abstract In this study, damping coatings were used to dissipate low‐ and medium‐frequency (200–1600 Hz) traffic noise. A waterborne polyurethane/polyacrylate (WPUA) emulsion with superior damping and mechanical properties was prepared by blending polyurethane with commercial waterborne polyacrylate (SETAQUA 6754). The emulsion was combined with sound‐absorbing polyester fibers (PFs) to develop a PF/WPUA damping coating. SETAQUA 6754 improved the loss factor and mechanical properties of the waterborne resin. The composition ratio, molecular chain length, and crosslinking degree improved the damping properties of WPUA by modulating its glass transition temperature, molecular chain friction, hydrogen bonding, and molecular chain free volume. When the thickness of the waterborne damping coating was 1 cm, PF/WPUA reduced the noise by 7 dB at 200 Hz and 23 dB at 1600 Hz, indicating the effectiveness of the PF/WPUA coating in reducing reduce low‐ and medium‐frequency traffic noise.