Why Rubber Is Used As Vibration Absorbers

Why Is Rubber Used As Vibration Absorbers?

Rubber is used as vibration absorbers, because rubber has a relatively high shear modulus compared to other materials. That means when a rubber material is shear stressed, i.e. stressed parallel to its cross-section, rubber can be stressed more before it becomes permanently deformed. In other words, when stress from vibrations is applied to rubber materials, the rubber vibration absorbers or isolators can absorb greater vibratory stress before breakage or transferring the vibrations.

Are Rubber Vibration Isolators the Same As Vibration Dampers?

Rubber vibration isolators are not the same as vibration dampeners. Rubber vibration isolators are used to prevent vibrations from transferring from one component or material to another by stiffening or absorbing the vibratory forces. Some examples of rubber vibration isolators are hydraulic mounts and anti-vibration mounts in industrial equipment and automotive engines. Rubber vibration dampers or dampeners, on the other hand, are meant to disperse vibratory forces away from the assembly into the environment by having a high damping coefficient, i.e. a strong ability to bounce back from the disturbance to its steady state. Although rubber vibration dampers can reduce vibrations in your system, the vibratory energy is in turn dissipated as heat. Rubber vibration damping pads, vibration dampers for air conditioners, and archery stabilizers aka doinkers are examples of rubber vibration dampers.

Why Do Custom Rubber Vibration Absorbers Perform Better?

These natural properties – hardness, elasticity, stress and strain resistance – of rubber can be enhanced in custom compound mixing, a specialty of Coi Rubber Products. When the rubber polymers are compounded with special fillers and additives and custom molded from years of expertise, the resulting product is superior performance and longevity at significant cost savings. With in-house custom compounding, Coi Rubber can instill low and high temperature resistances, sunlight and ozone resistances, chemical resistances, oil resistances, water resistance, swell resistance, and more for your rubber vibration isolator or damper. Coi Rubber Products also houses a dedicated rubber-to-metal bonding department for all your specialty applications.

Learn More: MIT Mechanical Properties of Materials