Resonance Frequency and Sorbothane
In the world of physics, there are three basic types of resonance that are studied: phase resonance, amplitude resonance and natural resonance. Regardless of type, all resonance shares some of the same qualities, including the ability to both store and to transfer energy between two different forms of storage mode. All energy when transferred from one mode to another will suffer a loss, which is referred to as damping. This phenomenon occurs during the cycles of transfer from one mode of storage to another.
Everything, from machines to people, has the ability to create and then to use energy. There are certain motions that can cause more vibrations than others, especially when there is an increased amount of speed. The faster an object is moving, typically, the more vibration that it creates in the process. That increased vibration can in turn speed up mechanical failure by causing increased damages in the form or bending or pitting. Most materials are made to be pliable and to absorb some of the vibratory energy, however, eventually, all materials will succumb to damage and will fail.
There are a number of ways that the vibration damage can be adjusted for, including slowing the motion of the item down, which may not be an acceptable solution, and by protecting key components from the damage that is caused by this vibration energy. In some cases, having another material that absorbs some of this energy is the best way to reduce vibration damage.
Vibration can also cause other undesirable effects such as excessive noise. Whether it is to reduce the amount of sound you hear or the amount of damage caused by items touching each other when in motion, the additional part or material must be thin enough to allow for free motion but strong enough not to break apart immediately. It must allow for correct motion paths and must move along with the parts it is applied to or it just becomes a bigger problem in and of itself.
Sorbothane is a perfect solution because it is a thin, viscouselastic polymer, having both solid and liquid properties. It is thin enough to be used in virtually any application without disrupting its normal movement paths, but strong and durable enough to be long lasting. It accepts and absorbs the energy, and then dissipates it in the form of a small amount of heat.
Sorbothane is frequently used to absorb not only vibratory motion but to reduce some of the sound that you hear as well. In machinery, it can give quieter, safer and more durable performances, which makes it easier and more comfortable to use the machine in the application for which it was designed.
For human applications, Sorbothane can be used to reduce vibrations in shoes and in other products. For instance, a shooter is exposed to a painful recoil from his weapon as it fires and then slams back into his shoulder. Sorbothane is frequently used in recoil pads, which take the impact and then dissipate it, keeping the shoulder relatively pain free.
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