Vibration Damping Material: Helping Companies & Individuals Alike

A vibration damping material is one that is meant to do a number of tasks, but most importantly, it is the conversion of one type of energy into another type that is its focus. It is that action that determines the damping level of the material in question. In the case of most damping material types, it is the conversion of mechanical energy into thermal energy that is the target. Mechanical energy is energy that is generated by movement and by work. You create mechanical energy when you walk – the mechanics of walking and all of the potential benefits, problems and other aspects are studied in the science of podiatry. When you include a vibration damping material into the process of walking, the mechanical energy that is created will be transferred to that material and then returned in the form of heat (thermal energy).

Vibration Damping Material and Podiatry: A Case Study

Of all of the things that a human can do with their feet, some are more dangerous than others. Runners, joggers, marathon runners and other endurance athletes all face devastating injuries and incredible pain because of the sports they are choosing to pursue. They may look for specialized shoes and other resources to help ease the pain and the strain that they feel as well as ways to protect themselves from some of the stresses that are likely to occur. Even the best shoe may fail after 15 miles or more, for instance. A specialized shoe insole or a shock absorbing sock, both created from a vibration damping material, can be the best possible solution for many of the hazards seen by these athletes. Most marathons are run on city streets, meaning that the surface is paved, concrete – hard and unforgiving. All of the effort (energy) used to run is directed right back to the foot without any dissipation. Not only does that mean that you will feel more pain, but you will also fatigue faster as well. For a quick example of natural vibration damping, run for a few feet on cement and then run the same distance on sand or grass. The cushioned surface will feel different, not only during the run but when you are done as well. You might find that you can run farther or faster on the softer, more forgiving surface. Grass and sand are not always available however. An insole of a vibration damping material can provide that function no matter what surface you are running on. As you run, your foot flattens out on the insole, which flattens out into the shoe. The sole of the shoe will flatten onto the ground. This entire sequence takes mere seconds and is the impact. After impact, energy that has been created can either be dissipated or can be returned (rebound energy) directly. In this instance, the more energy that is returned, the more negative the effects. If there is no return at all, it is a dead feeling, which causes even more shock to the feet and legs. Imagine jumping from the roof of a house and then landing directly on your feet without any cushioning. The jolt of that action will send pain and potential damage from the soles of your feet to your spine. The insole absorbs some of the mechanical energy generated by the runner, turning it into a small amount of thermal energy (heat) before it can cause problems for the runner.

Vibration Damping Materials and Your Cell Phone: A Case Study

Cell phones have changed more than a few dozen times. They have gotten smaller for one thing, but some of the amazing changes have been with the features including all touch screen phones and more. Inside of every cell phone are a number of various connections and parts that can break during normal usage because of internal and external vibration and other issues. Those same parts can also be damaged by a common problem that befalls the average cell phone- being dropped. The average person drops their cell phone several times during the course of their ownership. A vibration damping material can protect the delicate internal and external components of the cell phone whether it is just being used like it is intended or it has been dropped yet again. A drop from a height of only a few feet can be enough to completely destroy the LCD screen of some phones, which may mean that the phone is rendered useless. If you bought the insurance or are due for an upgrade, it is not that big of a deal, however, if you didn’t insure the phone or it is not time to change your phone, the problem will become very expensive, very quickly.

Sorbothane® is a Solution to a Multitude of Problems

In addition to Sorbothane’s standard products guide, there are customized parts that are just waiting to be found and designed. From the simplest solution dreamed up by an individual to a more complex vibration damping solution determined to be necessary by large corporations, Sorbothane is the right solution for vibration control, sound transmission or deadening and in a number of applications whether it for electronic, structural, ergonomic or other specialized needs. Uses for Sorbothane, a unique material that combines the properties of elastics and viscous materials into one blend utilizing the best of both, range from very small pads inside of delicate instruments to huge pads that have been used in applications all over the world. Made with pride in the American Midwest for 40 years, Sorbothane is non-toxic, environmentally friendly and can be treated so that it is waterproof. It is also resistant to a number of chemicals, making it excellent in industrial settings as well as on the home front as well. It is a material that can be equally perfect for businesses of all sizes and individuals alike. It can be customized with all aspects of need determined by the customer.

Interesting in learning more about Sorbothane’s solutions? Contact us today to learn more.