Damping Material for Structure-Borne Vibration Control

Sound vibrations are oscillating waves of energy that travel through materials and air at different frequencies and amplitudes. When vibration energy is transferred into a structure or object, it creates movement that can lead to unwanted vibration noise, structural resonance, equipment wear, and reduced acoustic performance.

Every material or mechanical system has a natural frequency, also known as a resonance frequency. When external vibration frequencies match this resonance frequency, vibration amplitudes can increase significantly, causing damaging or disruptive noise vibration throughout equipment and structures. Effective vibration and noise control requires reducing both vibration amplitude and resonance buildup.

To minimize unwanted sound vibrations and vibration noise, engineers rely on high-performance acoustic damping material and vibration isolation materials that safely absorb and dissipate vibrational energy.

Common Sources of Structure-borne Vibration

Unwanted acoustic and mechanical vibration can occur across a wide range of industries and applications. Heavy machinery, industrial equipment, fans, compressors, and pneumatic tools often generate vibration noise that can contribute to hearing damage, equipment wear, reduced performance, and worker discomfort.

Structure-borne vibration occurs when mechanical energy travels through solid materials such as floors, walls, equipment frames, or mounting systems. These vibrations can radiate as audible noise or create damaging resonance within surrounding structures.

Acoustic Damping Solutions

Outside of industrial environments, acoustic damping is equally important in audio equipment, recording studios, speakers, turntables, and consumer electronics where excess vibration can negatively affect sound clarity and performance.

To reduce unwanted vibration and noise, engineers require acoustic materials capable of vibration damping, vibration isolation, and noise reduction.

Sorbothane® is a proprietary viscoelastic material specifically engineered to address these challenges, offering exceptional impact absorption, resonance control, and vibration attenuation across a broad frequency range.

How Sorbothane Provides Acoustic Damping and Vibration Isolation

Sorbothane® is highly regarded for mitigating structure-borne vibration. It uniquely combines the properties of a solid with liquid-like characteristics to isolate vibration and dissipate shock energy across a wide frequency range.

Unlike traditional rubber materials, Sorbothane responds to acoustic and mechanical vibration by absorbing and dissipating vibrational energy rather than transferring it through a structure.

Sorbothane handles vibration and noise control through two primary mechanisms:

Vibration Damping

Sorbothane converts kinetic energy into low-level heat, absorbing up to 94.7% of vibration energy and rapidly returning systems to a resting state. This unique damping capability helps minimize vibration noise, reduce structural resonance, and protect sensitive equipment from repeated mechanical stress.

Unlike many conventional damping materials, Sorbothane maintains its performance across a broad temperature range without hardening, melting, or losing effectiveness.

Engineering Considerations for Maximum Performance

To maximize the effectiveness of Sorbothane, Inc.’s vibration-damping material, proper compression and engineering geometry are critical.

Proper Compression

The recommended compression range for Sorbothane is typically between 3% and 20%, depending on the application’s shape factor and load requirements.

Shape Factor

Shape factor is the ratio of contact surface (one side) divided by perimeter area and quantifies the unique ability of elastomers to react to an applied force by bulging at 90 degrees to the direction of application of the force. A high shape factor indicates a minimal ability to deform. A low shape factor indicates a soft material with a high ability to deform. Implicit in a low shape factor is a low spring rate and the capability to have a low natural frequency.

Constrained Layer Damping

For structural panels and metal surfaces, Sorbothane can be incorporated into constrained layer damping systems by bonding the material between rigid layers such as aluminum or steel. This configuration effectively reduces structural resonance and vibration transmission.

Our Engineering Design Guide and online design guide calculators are available to help determine the optimal Sorbothane configuration for specific acoustic damping and vibration isolation applications.

Applications for Acoustic Damping and Vibration Isolation

Sorbothane is widely used across industries requiring advanced vibration and noise control solutions.

Audio and Acoustic Equipment

Sorbothane helps decouple microphones, studio monitors, speakers, subwoofers, and turntables from surrounding structures to reduce muddy bass, vibration transfer, and structural rattling.

Industrial Equipment

Industrial machinery such as CNC machines, compressors, motors, and fans utilize Sorbothane vibration dampers to reduce vibration noise, minimize wear, and improve overall equipment performance.

Aerospace and Precision Technology

Sensitive aerospace systems, medical equipment, and precision laboratory instruments rely on Sorbothane for advanced vibration isolation and shock energy absorption.

Sorbothane Products for Vibration and Noise Control

Sorbothane, Inc. offers a wide range of standard vibration-damping and vibration-isolation products, including bushings, washers, strips, and sheet stock designed to reduce acoustic and mechanical vibration in demanding environments.

At Sorbothane, Inc., we take pride in our custom engineering capabilities — and in being a trusted partner who can support every stage of your project. From rapid prototyping and collaborative design to full-scale production and timely delivery, our team delivers solutions built to your exact specifications. From idea to finished product, we make it happen.

Contact Sorbothane, Inc. to learn more about our vibration-damping products and custom engineering capabilities.