The swift evolution of urban air mobility (UAM) – using highly mobile aircraft to carry passengers or cargo into urban areas – has created new challenges for the aerospace industry. One of those challenges concerns how much noise those aircraft can produce when in operation. The Federal Aviation Administration and European Union Aviation Safety Agency have implemented regulatory standards regarding noise pollution in response to the rapid growth of urban air mobility, aiming to protect the impact on the public. Manufacturers must keep limiting noise pollution at the front of their minds in future innovations.
Polymer Technologies has a history of providing the highest quality sound absorption solutions. Our range of POLYDAMP® acoustical foams is engineered for optimal acoustic insulation performance. Installed in several parts of modern aircraft, these advanced foams resist settling and can be used in numerous applications without a loss of thickness.
As urban air mobility becomes a regular part of everyday life, acoustic insulation will be key to making sure that the skies of tomorrow stay safe and quiet.
Noise Challenges of Aerial Mobility
The average person has come to accept the noise of airplanes and helicopters flying above them. Commercial airplanes average between 93 and 94 decibels and helicopters are louder at 95 decibels. While research about the human response to urban air mobility noise shows that most UAM aircraft do not exceed 70 decibels, there is still the unique acoustic signature of electrical propulsion systems to consider. And, due to their mobility and high capacity to be automated, it is expected that there will be many more aircraft in the sky than there currently are. Therefore, reducing aircraft noise is crucial to ensuring the public’s acceptance of future urban air mobility innovations.
The Science Behind Hydrophobic Melamine Foam
To meet regulatory demands, aircraft manufacturers must choose insulation that not only complies with factors like adequate thermal regulation and weight distribution but also manages the acoustic experience of passengers and crew members. Polymer Technologies’ POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are used throughout the aircraft. These melamine foams have an open-cell structure designed to reduce sound by absorbing sound waves.
Since melamine foams are hydrophobic, they also maintain integrity even in humid environments. Other insulation materials like fiberglass may break down over time, but Polymer Technologies’ POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are engineered to resist settling. Their open-cell structure allows for them to fit into tight spaces without, making sure that all sections of the aircraft are insulated for sound dampening.
Advantages of POLYDAMP Hydrophobic Melamine Foam
Polymer Technologies’ POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are all designed for aerospace manufacturing. Depending on the aircraft’s unique needs, Polymer Technologies offers three solutions to customize the manufacturer’s aerospace acoustic insulation needs.
Commonly used in aircraft walls/fuselages POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foam (PHM) has a density of 0.56 lbs/ft³ and can withstand extreme temperatures up to 356°F and as low as -300°F. For applications where superior flexibility and durability are required, POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Ultra-Flex (PHM-UF) melamine foam has a density of 0.44 lbs/ft³ and a tensile strength of 20.0 lb/in2 min. For a more lightweight hydrophobic melamine foam solution, POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foam Ultra-Lite (PHM-UL) has a density of only 0.375 lbs/ft³, and unlike solimide/polyimide foam and fiberglass, it is resilient to vibration and compression set.
Regardless of the specific manufacturing needs, Polymer Technologies POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are designed to limit acoustic interference while providing other necessary advantages to meet the aerospace industry’s strict requirements. All of Polymer Technologies’ POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are:
- Ultra-lightweight: Designed for weight-sensitive aerospace applications
- Water & Humidity Resistant: Moisture-repellent, even in the most humid environments
- Fire Safe: All foams meet FAA and aerospace industry standards
- Flexible & Durable: Able to withstand compression and stretching over
- Vibration Resilient: Resistant to even the slightest vibrations
Acoustic Insulation Application for Aerial Mobility
POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are used in many different applications. Most commonly used in aircraft and other vehicles, hydrophobic melamine foam can be found in fuselages, bulkheads, walls, and ducts of airplanes, mass transit systems, and many others. In defense, noise reduction for stealth applications is necessary to ensure aircraft can operate under the radar. Melamine foams in high-performance and luxury aircraft keep passengers and crew comfortable.
Additionally, POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are crucial to airplane safety. Without the foam’s protection within the aircraft’s fuselage, which keeps electronic and computerized control systems cool, safety functions like cabin pressurization and environmental controls can be easily damaged.
However, the true benefits of proper acoustic insulation are yet to be realized. As technology advances, there will be far more to contend with in our skies than airplanes and helicopters. Our world is already experiencing the impacts of urban air mobility, but soon, it will be commonplace to see all manner of aerial traffic. For example, electrical vehicle take-off and landing aircrafts, also known as eVTOLs or flying taxis, are aircraft that take off and land vertically, similar to helicopters. However, since they are much smaller and often automated, they will be able to fly passengers or cargo into tighter landing zones. These aircraft types are already being developed, and the market for drones and other UAM-centered aircraft has already become part of everyday life.
Ensuring a Safer, Quieter Future for Urban Air Mobility
The future of aerial mobility depends on the aerospace industry’s ability to adapt to quickly changing standards and up-and-coming innovations. Polymer Technologies’ POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams are engineered to provide protection and safety while providing advanced acoustic insulation.
Whether located in the fuselage or the bulkhead or tucked behind control panels to insulate important components, hydrophobic melamine foam is crucial to ensuring the future growth of urban air mobility and the advancement of the aerospace industry. Polymer Technologies will remain committed to innovation and making urban air mobility safer and quieter.
For more information on our POLYDAMP® Hydrophobic Melamine Foams and how they can help your operation ensure quieter skies, contact us today.