Vibration Isolators

Sorbothane Compared with Other Vibration Isolators

Vibration is one of the most important things that engineers deal with. Too much of the wrong type of vibration in an electronic system can cause annoying noises and overly fast wear and tear, and excessive vibration in a bridge system can cause violent swaying and eventual collapse. Vibration isn’t always easy to predict, which is why engineers must both design systems to eliminate vibrations and also use vibration isolation to control the problem after a system is designed to the best of the engineer’s ability. There are many types of vibration isolator available today, but the most effective is, by far, Sorbothane, a proprietary viscoelastic substance that combines the best features of some of the more common vibration isolation tools that have been used throughout history.

Here is how Sorbothane compares with some of the other competition:

 

Sorbothane vs. Springs:

Springs have been used for centuries to control vibrations, and they were useful for a while. Basically, a spring absorbs vibration energy and releases it in a different way, and springs can help isolate vibrations. For instance, springs attached to carriage wheels can act as crude shock absorbers, making a ride smoother. However, springs don’t actually dampen the overall energy that’s in a system, which means that every time a carriage hits a bump, it’s going to bounce, even if springs make the bounce a little more comfortable.

Sorbothane vs. Rubber:

After springs, rubber was probably the most commonly used substance for a variety of applications, but it works almost like springs do. It absorbs energy and releases it, and it can be used to isolate vibration in a system. Again, though, it doesn’t actually make the system have less energy in it, which can present major problems for designers and engineers.

Sorbothane vs. Oil:

Oil is also used in some systems, but it can’t actually be a vibration isolator that keeps the vibrations of one part of the system from affecting other parts of the system. Instead, it is a vibration damper, which helps absorb some of the overall vibration energy in the system, helping to control overall vibrations. Since it can’t isolate vibrations, though, oil isn’t a very versatile solution for most applications.

Sorbothane vs. Foam and Polyurethane:

Both foam and polyurethane have properties similar to Sorbothane in that they can both isolate vibrations and damp them down. However, foam doesn’t last very long, and polyurethane doesn’t have the same type of flexibility as Sorbothane, which is actually a licensed product made from – but different than – polyurethane.

Sorbothane is the Winner:

Unlike most of these other substances, Sorbothane can be used to both isolate and damp vibrations. Its liquid-like properties make it absorb energy, and its rubber-like properties make it a good vibration isolator. Plus, unlike foam, it lasts for years and years. An engine or mount made with Sorbothane won’t need replaced nearly as often as one made using foam or other less long-lasting polyurethane vibration control substances. For this reason, this proprietary substance is probably the best solution on the market for vibration problems, no matter what the application.

Want to learn more about why Sorbothane is the best vibration isolation material for your product or application? Request a quote to learn how we can create a custom solution for you.