Damping is the reduction or elimination of the amplitude of an electrical or mechanical energy’s wave. In most cases, damping converts electrical or mechanical energy into thermal energy. In layman’s terms, damping reduces or eliminates vibrations, movement, or noise by converting the vibration, movement, or noise energy into heat. Because vibration, movement, and noise have adverse effects on equipment and individuals in an industrial environment, damping is used to increase the lifespan of equipment and/or improve the safety in an individual’s working environment.

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Usually when we ask the question, “What material can store the most energy?” we’re attempting to find a material capable of absorbing energy. Energy absorption is important for applications in which the force transferred between two objects or between an object and an individual has the potential to damage or injure the objects or individuals. For example,

• The force of energy returned from the asphalt on which he’s running can damage the joints in a runner’s legs.
• The force of energy returned as recoil from a rifle shot can injure the marksman’s shoulder.
• The force of energy experienced as shock from the impact with the ground can damage an expensive piece of equipment if dropped.

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Vibration can cause problems and damage in many industrial applications—heavy machinery, vehicles, equipment, and tools. The repeated metal-to-metal contact in heavy machinery, for example, has the potential to damage parts and expose workers to unsafe conditions. The vibration created by vehicle engines, buckets or blades, or by travel across uneven roadways potentially causes circulation problems, nerve damage, and back pain for workers using industrial equipment. Extremely high-pressure vibrations created by pneumatic hand tools can cause serious nerve and circulatory damage with prolonged use. It becomes important, therefore, to determine the best way to reduce vibrations in the work environment to protect your equipment, workforce, and ultimately, your profit margin.

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According to the seminal article by J C Snowdon in a 1958 issue of British Journal of Applied Physics, a good anti-vibration material “should possess a high damping factor which does not increase greatly with frequency, and secondly, that [sic] it should be free from any major increase in dynamic modulus with frequency.” What makes the best anti-vibration material today based on this assertion? Sorbothane®.

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At work, employees are exposed to vibration when operating heavy machinery, pneumatic hand tools, industrial equipment, commercial vehicles, and material handling devices. Vibration exposure comes in the form of whole body vibration and segmental vibration (affecting only one part or segment of the body). Whole body vibration may be experienced by the operator of a bulldozer, fork lift, tractor trailer, or farm implement. Whole body exposure may result in fatigue, degenerative disc disease, impaired circulation, and various other medical conditions. Segmental vibration can originate from the operation of manufacturing and production equipment, as well as the use of nail guns, jackhammers, and other pneumatic tools. Exposure to segmental vibration can lead to wrist problems and Vibration White Finger.

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• What’s a solid viscoelastic material? It is a material that possesses characteristics of a liquid substance, alongside of attributes of a solid substance.
• Such a material, when impacted by of a force, will absorb energy and flow as if it were a viscous liquid.
• Once the source of the impact force is removed, a viscoelastic material will behave as an elastic solid, dissipating energy and returning its original shape.
• Sorbothane® takes absorbed energy and safely disperses it perpendicular to the source in the form of heat.

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• Fork lift vibration can originate from multiple sources including: the operation of the motor, operation of the lift mechanism, repetitive contact of metal parts on metal parts, and movement across uneven or textured surfaces.
• Vibration energy can be transmitted to the operator at the feet, seat, or hands. This can lead to discomfort, pain, maladies associated with the hands and wrists, or medical problems connected with exposure to whole-body vibration. Issues may include: Vibration White Finger, compromised circulation in the lower extremities, spine related nerve and orthopedic problems.
• Addressing these vibration-related issues requires a good vibration damping material for fork lifts. Sorbothane® is that material—the best vibration energy damper on the market.

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• Cameras contain optics and electronics. These sensitive structures are susceptible to damage when exposed to vibration. Such exposure can occur during operation, storage, or shipping.
• Vibration exposure while operating the camera can result in poor output quality regarding photography and videography.
• To address these vibration-related issues, you must ask—What’s a good vibration damping material for cameras? The answer—Sorbothane®—the best vibration energy damper available.

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Sorbothane® creates products that effectively dampen vibration. This product line contains: Mounting Hemispheres, Bushings, Washers, Silent Feet, Bumpers, Stops, and Sorbothane® Strips and Sheet Stock. The fact that Sorbothane® can be cast in any thickness, size, or shape, makes it perfect for incorporation into your product design.

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• Sound waves are mechanical vibrations that are audible—they fall in the frequency range that we can hear.
• Mechanical vibration (including sound) is a form of oscillating energy. These energy waves are characterized by their amplitude (strength—loudness in the case of sound) and frequency (the number of wave cycles/unit time—tone when describing sound).

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