Vibration Isolation and Damping: Rubber Mounts and Bushings
The vibration generated when industrial equipment, engines and pumps operate has a negative effect on both the structure and the environment. Vibration isolation reduces the transmission of these vibrations, increasing the service life of the equipment, lowering noise and protecting the installation area. Rubber elements are considered the most cost-effective and efficient solution in this field.
Why does rubber work as a damper?
Rubber is an elastic and viscoelastic material. This means it absorbs mechanical energy and converts it into heat. When vibration from equipment is transmitted to rubber, the internal friction of the material dissipates most of the energy, and only a small portion is transmitted to the foundation. This property is called damping and is optimized depending on the vibration frequency.
Types of rubber mounts and bushings
Depending on the application, dampers of various designs are used:
- Rubber-metal bushings: rubber layers are bonded to metal plates by vulcanization; used in engine and compressor mounts.
- Cone-type mounts: handle both vertical and horizontal loads, applied in shipbuilding and heavy machinery.
- Cylindrical buffers: installed on machine frames to absorb impact loads.
- Flat damping pads: laid under large equipment to dampen vibration in the structure.
Material selection
The material for dampers should be chosen to suit the environment. Outdoors and in areas exposed to ozone, neoprene (CR) rubber is an excellent choice because it is resistant to weather conditions and aging. In oily engine compartments, oil-resistant NBR is preferable. In some cases requiring high load-bearing capacity, a comparison of polyurethane and rubber may be useful, as polyurethane shows higher load and wear resistance.
The role of vulcanization
The reliability of rubber-metal elements depends directly on the quality of vulcanization. A properly performed vulcanization process creates a strong bond between rubber and metal and prevents the element from detaching under high load.
Principles of correct installation
The efficiency of a damper depends on correct selection and installation:
- Distribute the weight of the equipment evenly among all mounts.
- Select the load capacity of the damper slightly above the nominal load.
- Keep the operating frequency away from the natural frequency of the damper to avoid resonance.
- Periodically check for hardening and cracks.
NUR KAUÇUK MMC manufactures rubber dampers of various hardness (Shore) and sizes for industrial equipment at its own production facility.
To find a suitable vibration isolation solution for your equipment, view our products and contact us for technical advice.