What Is Viscoelastic Material?

Viscoelastic material combines the properties of both elasticity and viscosity, allowing it to deform under stress while absorbing and dissipating energy over time. Unlike purely elastic materials that immediately return to their original shape, or purely viscous materials that are formless, viscoelastic materials respond gradually — reducing stress and recovering once the force is removed.

This unique behavior is found in a wide range of materials, including synthetic polymers, wood, human tissue, and even metals when exposed to high temperatures. Because viscoelastic materials dissipate energy as heat, they are especially effective at managing shock, vibration, and impact. In many real-world applications, even a small viscoelastic response can make a meaningful difference in performance, durability, and user comfort — making these materials essential across industries where motion, load, and stress must be controlled.

A Brief History of Viscoelastic Materials

Viscoelastic materials began gaining broader adoption in the late twentieth century as advancements in material science expanded their practical use. Researchers and manufacturers recognized their ability to manage stress, control motion, and improve durability across demanding environments.

The Wide-Ranging Uses of a Viscoelastic Material

Today, viscoelastic materials are used in an exceptionally broad range of products. Their versatility spans from small-scale items like earplugs to large mechanical components used in factory environments. Because of this adaptability, viscoelastic materials serve the needs of large industrial operations, small businesses, and individual users alike.

Some of the key benefits of viscoelastic materials are their noise damping, shock-absorbing, and vibration isolation abilities. Depending on the type of material and its application, viscoelastic material can be used to relieve stress and pain in the human body as well as to protect delicate components in various types of machines and equipment. This combination of shock absorption and energy dissipation makes viscoelastic materials an essential solution wherever motion, impact, or vibration must be managed.

Viscoelastic Material Example: Sorbothane^®

With a clear understanding of viscoelasticity, it’s helpful to look at a specific example. Sorbothane is a viscoelastic material that was developed in the 1980s. It exhibits the same core characteristics found across this material class — elastic recovery combined with effective energy dissipation.

Why Sorbothane is a Good Shock and Vibration Solution

Sorbothane is a highly effective solution for managing shock and vibration thanks to its unique viscoelastic properties. Sorbothane combines both behaviors, allowing it to protect both people and equipment from vibration-related stress.

Some key properties make Sorbothane particularly suited for these applications:

• Low Impulse Response – When a constant force is applied, Sorbothane gradually deforms, distributing the stress over time to reduce sudden impacts.
• Strain Relaxation – Under a fixed deformation, Sorbothane’s stress decreases over time, helping prevent prolonged stress on components or surfaces.
• Effective Stiffness – Sorbothane’s stiffness increases as force is applied, making it effective for both slow and sudden impacts.
• Cyclic Loading – Repeated or vibrating loads are absorbed efficiently as Sorbothane dissipates mechanical energy as heat.
• Energy Rebound – Sorbothane directs energy perpendicularly from impacts, reducing bounce and mitigating further stress.

These properties make Sorbothane the best material for vibration damping, ideal for everything from protecting delicate electronics to improving comfort in sporting equipment.

Examples of Sorbothane in Action

Whether it’s protecting delicate electronics, improving comfort and performance in athletic equipment, or minimizing household and industrial vibrations, Sorbothane adapts to the challenge at hand, demonstrating its viscoelasticity in real-world applications.

And these are just a few examples — explore our Solutions Showcase to see how Sorbothane tackles challenges across industries and everyday life.

How Sorbothane Outperforms Other Vibration-Absorbing Materials

Sorbothane outperforms many traditional vibration-absorbing solutions, including:

• Rubber
• Foam
• Springs
• Neoprene
• Silicone

Unlike purely elastic materials, which can rebound energy back into a system, or purely viscous materials, which may lack strength under heavy or repeated loads, Sorbothane combines elasticity and viscosity to absorb and dissipate energy efficiently. This unique combination reduces stress on both equipment and users while maintaining durability over time.

Sorbothane’s proprietary formulation also incorporates polymer fibers and additives to enhance flexibility, strength, and long-term performance. Its superior damping properties allow it to reduce shock and vibration across a wide frequency range, convert mechanical energy into heat, and minimize rebound — all of which make it a more effective solution than traditional materials.

Sorbothane Is More Than Just a Product, It’s a Solution

Sorbothane isn’t just a vibration-absorbing material incorporating a unique blend of polymers; it’s a practical solution for real-world problems. Whether you’re an engineer designing precision machinery, an entrepreneur developing a new product, or even an individual looking to quiet your home, Sorbothane can help.

Beyond its performance, Sorbothane Inc. acts as a partner to innovators. Engineers can rely on Sorbothane Inc. for technical support, custom solutions, and guidance in integrating the material into complex designs. Entrepreneurs benefit from the ability to turn concepts into reliable, functional products. By working with Sorbothane Inc., you gain not just material that solves problems, but a partner dedicated to bringing your ideas to life.

How Can Sorbothane Inc. Help You?

Sorbothane is more than a ready-to-use material — it’s a flexible foundation for custom solutions. In addition to standard products, Sorbothane can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your application, from size and thickness to durometer and color. Whether your project is large or small, existing designs can be adapted, or entirely new solutions can be developed to fit your goals.

Backed by 40+ years of experience, Sorbothane Inc. partners with customers across industries to solve vibration, noise, and impact challenges. If you’re exploring viscoelastic material options for your next project, our engineering team is ready to help you find — or design — the right solution. Contact us today to get started.