How to Find a High Pressure Vibration Damping Material
When considering situations in which your products, equipment, and workers are subjected to vibration, it is important that you understand the concept of high pressure vibration and to know how to find a high pressure vibration damping material. Vibration is an oscillating energy made up of cyclically repeated forces of specific frequencies. The energy that is transferred to an entity by these forces causes the back and forth or up and down movement called vibration. Since vibration is caused by waves of energy, it has both a frequency (number of oscillations per second) and an amplitude (strength). It is important to control both attributes. Vibration energy with a high amplitude (high strength) is considered high pressure vibration—delivering a high level force with each vibratory impact. Frequency is important because different frequencies interact with substances in different ways. Every material, or system of materials, has what is known as a natural, or resonance frequency. When the frequency of the vibration in a system, matches that of the resonance frequency of the system itself, that system will begin to resonate—the vibratory energy waves will begin to build on one another, continually increasing the amplitude of the vibration. In this way, a lower amplitude vibration can become a high pressure vibration by simply feeding on the lower level of energy being supplied.
Sources of high pressure vibration and how you can protect against them
High pressure vibration can be a problem in many applications, including heavy machinery, industrial equipment, pneumatic tools, and transport vehicles. In heavy machinery, vibration results from the repeated metal to metal contact—damaging parts and exposing workers. In industrial equipment (bulldozers) and transport vehicles (tractor trailers), the operator is continually subjected to high pressure vibration while seated. Vibration from the engine, the working implement (bucket or blade), and the road act together over time to cause circulation problems, nerve damage, and degenerative back conditions. Pneumatic hand tools, including jack hammers, can cause serious nerve and circulatory damage with prolonged use. Clearly, this high pressure vibration is harming your workers and damaging your equipment, negatively impact your bottom line. To remedy this situation, you must find a way to dampen this vibration safely and effectively. You need to know how to find a high pressure vibration damping material. Sorbothane® is the most efficient vibration damping material on the market.
What is Sorbothane and how does it protect against high pressure vibration?
Sorbothane is a unique proprietary viscoelastic polymer. Viscoelastic means that Sorbothane exhibits properties of both liquids (viscous solutions—ones that can flow) and solids (elastic materials). Sorbothane flows like a liquid when it is under a load (experiencing vibration). It acts like an elastic solid by returning to its original shape after forces are removed. Unique to viscoelastic materials, Sorbothane safely disperses absorbed energy (from vibration) outward from the source of impact in the form of heat, protecting machinery and workers. It can also withstand the broad range of temperatures encountered in the workplace and during shipping without hardening, melting, becoming sticky, or losing its effectiveness. Sorbothane is specified by engineers worldwide for its vibration damping properties—its ability to decrease the amplitude of the vibration, as well as changing the frequency to avoid harmful resonance frequencies.
Standard Sorbothane products and customization
The Sorbothane line includes standard products that will protect against high pressure vibration. Our Sorbothane Bushings and Washers are essential for absorbing vibration in machinery. Your workers can benefit from our unique products, such as our Sorbothane Soft-Blow Mallet and the Ergotech Glove. To meet your specific vibration damping needs, Sorbothane Strips and Sheet Stock are offered. These products can be used to dampen vibration transmitted through industrial equipment seating. Customization is also available by contacting our engineering staff. Contact Sorbothane for further information on our standard products or to find out how our engineers can work with you to develop a unique solution for you.