Vibration damping composite material

Abstract

Abstract A new composite damping material is presented which exhibits an enhanced ability to dampen mechanical oscillations. The enhanced damping properties of this material are achieved through the entrapment of highly viscous damping fluids within the pores of a porous material (such as: an expanded polymer, felt, foam, fabric, metal, etc.). The entrapment of the fluid within the porous scaffold prevents flow, providing a stable composite which may be shaped into useful articles. Such a construct allows utilization of the high performance damping properties of fluids which, in pure form, are too fluid-like for most practical applications (which typically require a solid, stable, material). This composite, possessing damping performance approaching that of certain fluids, combined with stability in a solid form, can be used in many applications where materials are needed to damp the vibration of mechanical systems. Such applications include, but are not limited to, damping of vibrations which produce noise or degrade performance in airplanes, automobiles, space structures, machine tools, sporting goods, disk drive components and assemblies, electrical/electronic components such as transformers, electrical cables, etc. In addition, these composites may be used to alter or tune the mechanical response of a variety of systems to produce desired impulse or vibrational response.

Inventors

• 👤 Stephen P. Sutton
• 👤 Frank Principe
• 👤 Michele M. Gentile

Bibliographic Details