Awi Licensing Company

Armstrong World Industries, Inc.

Andrea M Moser

Dean L Putt

Anthony L Wiker

Marsha Stalker Bischel

Peter A Christie

Chester W Hallett

John J Hartman, Jr

A process and apparatus for creating an acoustically absorbent porous panel comprises the steps of dispensing cement and fibers with a dry mixer to create a dry mix and aqueous mixing water, surfactant and air with an aqueous mixer to create a foam. The process and apparatus provides for combining and mixing the foam and dry mix in a combining mixer to form a foamed cementitious material comprising on a wet basis about 53% to about 68% by weight cement, about 17% to about 48% by weight water, about 0.05% to about 5% by weight fibers, and about 0.01% to about 10% by weight surfactant. The foamed cementitious material is then dried or cured in a drying chamber. The dried foamed cementitious material may then textured with an embossing roller. The cementitious material provides good acoustical performance with enhanced durability and moisture resistance.

Method for producing an inorganic foam structure for use as a durable acoustical panel

The present invention provides for an acoustically absorbent porous panel that is both rigid and resistant to sagging caused by moisture. The acoustically absorbent porous panel is comprised of at least two layers. The first layer is a facing layer formed from a cured aqueous foamed cementitious material. The foamed cementitious material comprises on a wet basis about 53% to about 68% by weight cement, about 17% to about 48% by weight water, about 0.05% to about 5% by weight fiber, and about 0.01% to about 10% by weight surfactant. Additionally, pores distributed within the cured material comprising about 75% to about 95% by volume of the material. The second layer is a backing layer that is affixed to the facing layer.

Composite structure with foamed cementitious layer

An acoustically absorbent porous panel formed from a cured aqueous foamed cementitious material comprising on a wet basis of about 53% to about 68% by weight cement, about 17% to about 48% by weight water, about 0.05% to about 5% by weight fiber, and about 0.01% to about 10% by weight surfactant. The panel also has pores distributed within the cured material comprising about 75% to about 95% by volume of the material. The cement-based, foamed panel provides good acoustical performance with enhanced durability and moisture resistance.

Durable porous article of manufacture and a process to create same

Growing community of inventors

Millersville, PA, United States of America

Andrea M Moser