Why Sorbothane® Outperforms Traditional Shock-Absorbing Materials

In industries where shock, noise, and vibration pose challenges, materials that can absorb energy and protect equipment are essential. Among these materials, Sorbothane® stands out due to its proprietary viscoelastic properties. But what makes this viscoelastic material unique compared to others like rubber, neoprene, and silicone? Let’s take an in-depth look at the science behind Sorbothane, its performance characteristics, and why it’s the ultimate vibration solution for industries ranging from aerospace to athletic equipment.

What Is a Viscoelastic Material?

A viscoelastic material is one that exhibits characteristics of both liquids (viscous behavior) and solids (elasticity). When subjected to a force, it deforms like a liquid but returns to its original shape like a solid once the force is removed. This combination allows it to absorb energy and dissipate it efficiently.

Sorbothane’s viscoelastic behavior is particularly effective because it converts mechanical energy into heat through molecular friction. This process ensures that energy is not returned to the system as rebound, making Sorbothane ideal for shock-absorbing material applications.

The Science of Sorbothane

Unlike traditional polymers, Sorbothane has a superior damping coefficient and operates effectively across a broad temperature range (-20°F to 160°F). Its unique formulation provides three key advantages:

Shock Absorption

As an industry-leading impact-absorbing material, Sorbothane can absorb up to 94.7% of shock energy. When an object collides with Sorbothane, the energy is dispersed over time, slowing the deceleration of the object. This gradual absorption process prevents damage to delicate components and minimizes rebound effects.

Vibration Control

In industrial and mechanical systems, unwanted vibrations can lead to wear, inefficiencies, and noise. Sorbothane is a powerful vibration-absorbing material because it isolates vibration across a wide frequency range (10–30,000 Hz). Unlike elastomers, which transmit some vibrations, Sorbothane significantly reduces transmitted energy, preventing damage to sensitive equipment.

Noise and Vibration Reduction

Excessive noise vibration is often caused by structural resonance, where materials amplify sound waves Sorbothane helps by absorbing vibrations and stopping them from spreading. This makes it invaluable in environments where suppressing noise and vibration is critical.

How Sorbothane Outperforms Other Shock-Absorbing Materials

Because of its unique viscoelastic properties, Sorbothane outperforms the following materials:

Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is a common material used for vibration isolation, but it has a major drawback – it returns a significant amount of energy back into the system. While it does provide some impact absorption, its high rebound effect makes it less effective as a shock-absorbing material. Sorbothane, on the other hand, dissipates energy as heat, significantly reducing rebound and improving protection.

Foam-Based Solutions

Foam materials, such as open-cell and closed-cell foams, are often used for cushioning and impact protection. However, over time, they tend to degrade, losing their ability to absorb energy consistently. Additionally, foam-based materials often lack the durability required for long-term applications, making them a less reliable choice compared to Sorbothane.

Metal Springs

Metal springs are commonly used in mechanical systems to handle shock and vibration, but they lack damping capabilities. Springs store energy elastically and release it back into the system, which can lead to unwanted oscillations. Unlike Sorbothane, metal springs do not efficiently reduce vibration or dissipate energy as heat, making them less effective for many industrial applications.

Neoprene and Silicone

Neoprene and silicone elastomers are often used for vibration damping, but they have limitations. While they provide some vibration solution benefits, their damping coefficients are significantly lower than Sorbothane’s. Additionally, these materials tend to have higher creep rates, meaning they deform permanently over time, reducing their effectiveness in applications requiring long-lasting performance.

The Future of Sorbothane Applications

With its unparalleled viscoelastic properties, Sorbothane continues to be at the forefront of impact and vibration-absorbing material innovation. Whether in aerospace, sporting goods, electronics, or medical industries, Sorbothane remains the best material engineered to reduce vibration, control shock, and mitigate noise vibration.

Sorbothane could be the key to your project’s success to effectively absorb harmful shock, isolate vibration, or damp unwanted noise. We’re proud to create partnerships, providing engineers and entrepreneurs with superior technical support and custom-designed solutions. Let us know how we can help – contact us today.