Laser perforating process for producing an acoustical and structural microporous sheet

摘要

A microporous sheet having both acoustical and structural functionality and a process for producing the sheet. Construction of the sheet requires, first of all, providing a sheet capable of functioning as a structural element of a component. A laser device capable of producing a free electron laser beam is provided, and the free electron laser beam is directed to a surface of the sheet to penetrate the sheet at a plurality of sites and thereby form a plurality of apertures. These apertures are generally uniformly dispersed and of a size and number sufficient to enable the sheet to function as an acoustical noise suppressor while retaining capability of functioning as a structural element. Use of free electron laser technology permits formation of smooth-walled, circular or non-circular apertures tailored to exact geometry specifications controlled to a nanometer in size, and produces a microporous sheet having structural functionality while meeting acoustic requirements with clean, unclogged apertures and with low friction-to-surface and/or boundary-layer control airflow.