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 Elasto Proxy explains what you need to know about choosing vibration damping materials. This article is the final installment in our multi-part series about acoustic insulation.
Vibration damping materials are acoustically optimized to reduce resonant vibrations that can cause unwanted noise or sound. Applications include machine enclosures, hospital equipment, electronic devices, and engine bays. If vibrations aren’t dampened, high cycle fatigue can cause components to fail. Excessive noise, vibration, and harshness (NVR) can also suggest poor quality in manufactured products. With electronic devices, vibrations can weaken soldered connections and even result in the loss of data.
For design engineers and industrial buyers, choosing the right type of vibration damping material is critical. Elasto Proxy provides assistance with technical design and material selection, and custom-fabricates vibration damping products in low-to-medium volume quantities. We can also create custom acoustic insulation “sandwiches” that include both sound dampers and sound absorbers. Many different types of vibration dampening materials are available, but here are a few examples.
Extruded Vinyl Sheets
Extruded vinyl sheets are flexible and lightweight, but provide high damping performance. Vinyl that meets UL 94 V0 flammability requirements is used for vibration damping in hospital equipment, kitchen appliances, and computer housings. Vinyl compounds are also available that meet FAR 25.853 for aircraft materials, ASTM E662 for the optical density of smoke, and ASTM E162 for surface flammability. ASTM E662 and ASTM E162 are important fire safety standards for the mass transit industry.
Asphalt-Impregnated Paperboard
Vibration damping products made of asphalt-impregnated paperboard are odorless, wear-resistant, waterproof, lightweight, and cost-effective. They can be bonded to metal panels that are flat, or that have a minimum curvature in a single axis. If your application requires both a vibration damper and a sound absorber, Elasto Proxy can laminate asphalt-impregnated paperboard onto foam composites to create specialized acoustic insulation.
Metal Foils and Fiberglass
Foils made from metals such as aluminum can also reduce resonant vibrations in parts and panels. Metal foils can be applied directly to structural components, or incorporated into multi-layer insulation sandwiches. In some applications, fiberglass is used. These foil-and-fiberglass sandwich panels are a good choice for the engine room bulkhead walls in marine vessels. Foil and fiberglass are also used in ground vehicles. A type of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), fiberglass has a high heat-resistance.
Laminates and PSAs
As part of the material selection process, product designers and technical buyers also need to consider the use of laminates and pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs). Laminates can be formulated with various material properties, including good viscoelastic properties for vibration dampening. Vibration damping materials with a PSA and release liner can offer your installers a peel-and-stick solution that reduces installation times and material waste.
Vibration Damping Materials and Custom Fabrication
Elasto Proxy is ready to help you with material selection, and can custom-fabricate your vibration damping products in low-to-medium volume quantities – including prototypes. We can also store your materials or finished goods in our warehouses, and then ship to them you on-demand or in response to your sales forecasts. As your supply chain partner, we provide you with true value-added manufacturing. With our over 25 years’ of experience, we also understand your application.
Choose Vibration Dampers from Elasto Proxy
As November draws to a close, Elasto Proxy’s annual shutdown is fast-approaching. Our offices will close at the end of the business day on Friday, December 23, 2017 and reopen on the morning of Monday, January 9, 2017. If you would you like to place an order with a December delivery date, please do so before Friday, December 2, 2016. Also, please note that our December schedule only allows us to fill new orders from in-stock materials.
Please contact Elasto Proxy for more information.
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