Flame-Retardant and Sound-Absorption Properties of Composites Based on Kapok Fiber

In order to improve the utilization rate of kapok fiber, flame-retardant and sound-absorption composites were prepared by the hot pressing method with kapok fiber as the reinforced material, polyε-caprolactone as the matrix material, and magnesium hydroxide as the flame retardant. Then, the effects of hot pressing temperature, hot pressing time, density of composites, mass fraction of kapok fiber, thickness of composites, and air layer thickness on the sound-absorption properties of composites were analyzed, with the average sound absorption coefficient as the index. Under the optimal process parameters, the maximum sound absorption coefficient reached 0.830, the average sound absorption coefficient was 0.520, and the sound-absorption band was wide. Thus, the composites belonged to high-efficiency sound-absorbing material. The flame-retardant effect of magnesium hydroxide on the composites was investigated, and the limiting oxygen index could reach 31.5%. Finally, multifunctional composites based on kapok fiber with flame retardant properties, and sound-absorption properties were obtained.