Shock Protection – Using the Right Materials
Shock protection is an important consideration whether you are looking for protection of a huge machine or for a delicate and priceless item. There are also other applications for shock protection that can include in sports or just for people who are looking to make moving around easier and more comfortable to handle. Because there are so many different types of materials on the market, it is important to consider several factors before making your final decision.
Thick or Thin Materials for Shock Protection?
In some cases, the shock protection material can be as thick as you can find. In other cases, thicker material will not only be uncomfortable but may also hamper the effective use of the item it is meant to protect. Take the use of shock protection in a baseball player’s glove for instance. A ball that is coming off of a bat or is being thrown in from the outfield can be coming at speeds that are at least sixty miles per hour and are likely to be as high as double that number. When a player reaches out to catch the ball, they are protected by their glove, but that protection might not be quite enough for the upper numbers.
The pitcher who is the closest player to the batter can take shots that have had no time at all to slow down leaving him at the highest risk for hand injuries. A glove that employs shock protection materials can not only help him make better plays but can keep him from having a season ending injury.
In this application, a shock protection material that is too thick will keep the player from being able to have the response that he wants and may even leave him making clumsy plays on the field. Thinner materials are also called for when shock protection is added to shoes, especially for those who are aiming to reduce the amount of stress that they are feeling in their feet and legs from long runs or excessive time spent on their feet.
To Bounce or Not to Bounce
Shock protection material absorbs shocks from impacts but what happens next can have an impact on the choices that are being made. Some materials might absorb the shock but then send it back in the form of bouncing reactivity. Other materials absorb the shock and then dampen it with no bounce at all. Whether you need the material to deaden the shock completely or can allow or a little bit of play, there are a number of choices to make.
Shock protection can be the protection that is needed during a move, keeping vibrations and impact from causing damage to crucial items. As an example of this, one of America’s greatest treasures, the Liberty Bell, was moved and protected from damage by using shock protection materials. If such a priceless treasure could be safely moved and protected, there are no limits to the other applications that these materials can be used in.
Want to learn more about Sorbothane’s solutions? Download our Standard Products Guide today.