The Dynamic Characteristics of Neoprene Vulcanizates

Abstract

Abstract The utilization of the elastomeric spring goes back at least to the days of solid rubber carriage tires. The use of such materials to dampen vibration or absorb shock expanded rapidly despite the lack of engineering data and the inadequacy of testing methods for proper evaluation. Within the last twenty years these materials have been used in many dynamic applications, even though no appropriate means existed for the measurement of dynamic properties to determine their suitability for the particular service. Coincident with the practical application of rubber parts to vibration problems, engineers developed considerable data on the use of natural rubber in springs. Marked differences in performance were encountered when engineers were obliged to replace natural rubber with synthetic rubber in spring applications. Some engineers redesigned the rubber part used and obtained workable, although not entirely acceptable, performance. Design alone was not a complete solution to the problem, and it was necessary to call on the rubber technologist to produce vulcanizates having properties especially suitable for dynamic service.