Sorbothane®, a one-of-a-kind visco-elastic polymer, was first introduced in 1982. Primary applications included the development of shock absorbing insoles for the athletic and orthopedic markets. Sorbothane® insoles have been highly recommended by doctors, sports medicine specialists and professional trainers for decades. Sorbothane® insoles have proven to be the best defense against foot pain, back pain and impact-related injuries. Manufactured in the heart of the “polymer valley” in Kent, Ohio, Sorbothane® quickly gained worldwide recognition for its ability to achieve remarkable shock absorbing levels. This new material reduced shock so dramatically that it was actually featured on national TV programs such as “THAT’S INCREDIBLE” numerous times.

Since its introduction, 25 years ago, Sorbothane® has been used in many varied energy absorbing product categories. Sorbothane Inc. engineers supplied the NASA design team with a unique Sorbothane® isolator to protect shuttle cameras from the violent forces thrust upon them during launch. The Liberty Bell was successfully moved using specially designed Sorbothane® isolators. When Wilson® Sporting Goods needed a superior shock absorber, for their new line of high-tech baseball gloves, they turned to Sorbothane®. Most recently, engineers have devised a series of colossal “ball-in-box” Sorbothane® dampers designed to dissipate wind energy in the new Air Force memorial. (more…)

We’d like to take this opportunity to let you know that we’ve just updated our brochure online. You can download a PDF version of our brochure or view and click through the pages on our website.

Click here to learn more about Sorbothane… Shock and Vibration Solutions.

A Memorial’s Moving Parts
Engineers have devised a series of colossal “ball-in-box dampers” designed to dissipate wind energy in the new Air Force memorial, which was
dedicated October 14, 2006.

Each steel box is double-walled, and the two-inch space between those walls is filled with Sorbothane, an elastic energy-absorbing polymer commonly found in the insoles of shoes. The balls are lead, with an outer coating of stainless steel. When wind sets the mid- and upper reaches of the spires swaying, the balls roll about, banging into the walls of their padded cells. (more…)