Sorbothane

Sorbothane is a synthetic viscoelastic urethane polymer and a company based in Kent, Ohio. [1] Founded in 1982, Sorbothane®, Inc. has been providing shock and vibration solutions for over 25 years. Along with being a custom molder they also offer a line of standard products and sheet stock as described in their Industrial Standard Products and Price Guide.

Sorbothane has wide industrial applications from acoustic shielding to cushioning in shoe soles. The material combines some of the properties of rubber, silicone, and other elastic polymers. It is considered to be a good vibration damping material, an acoustic insulator, and highly durable. An unusually high amount of the energy from an object dropped onto Sorbothane is absorbed. The feel and damping qualities of Sorbothane have been likened to those of meat.

Visco-elastic means that a material exhibits properties of both liquids (viscous solutions) and solids (elastic materials). Because visco-elastic behavior is desirable in shock and vibration applications many materials claim to be "visco-elastic." Technically, they are correct. However, many of these materials have only trace "visco-elastic" properties.

Similar materials include Norsorex, Noene, and Astro-sorb.

Uses

Sorbothane has been used to quiet personal computers by being packed around the hard drive and other noisy spinning components. Sorbothane dampens vibration transmission from vibrating hardware. (see Quiet PC) In addition Sorbothane has been used by NASA to isolate vibration, in the Air Force Memorial and to transport the Liberty Bell.