What Is Sorbothane?

Sorbothane®, a one-of-a-kind visco elastic polymer, was first introduced in 1982. Primary applications included the development of shock absorbing insoles for the athletic and orthopedic markets. Manufactured in the heart of the “polymer valley” in Kent, Ohio, Sorbothane® quickly gained worldwide recognition for its ability to achieve remarkable shock absorbing levels.


Since its introduction, 25 years ago, Sorbothane® has been used in many varied energy absorbing product categories. Sorbothane Inc. engineers supplied the NASA design team with a unique Sorbothane® isolator to protect shuttle cameras from the violent forces thrust upon them during launch. The Liberty Bell was successfully moved using specially designed Sorbothane® isolators. When Wilson® Sporting Goods needed a superior shock absorber, for their new line of high-tech baseball gloves, they turned to Sorbothane®.

Sorbothane®, a proprietary visco elastic material, is custom molded and specified by engineers worldwide for its superior damping and isolation properties and scientifically proven to be the finest cushioning material available. In many applications and laboratory tests Sorbothane® has achieved shock absorption levels of up to 94.7%. Unprecedented absorption levels are possible because Sorbothane® maintains stability and damping over a broad temperature range, enabling it to isolate damaging vibrations and impact shock in varied conditions. Its near faultless memory ensures a return to original shape, even after repeated compressions, making Sorbothane® ideal for a variety of engineering design applications requiring shock absorption, vibration isolation and acoustical damping.


NASA uses Sorbothane to vibration-isolate cameras on the Space Shuttle.  NASA uses Sorbothane to vibration isolate pumps on the International Space Station. NASA is using Sorbothane to vibration/shock mount electronics on the new ARES I rocket -- the replacement for the Space Shuttle, due to launch in 2012. So if NASA can trust Sorbothane for their vibration isolation can’t you?

The Vibration Solution will soon offer additional products for vibration isolation and noise dampening from Sobrothane Inc.  Sorbothane produces a wide variety of isolators, pads, sheet stock, hemispheres, o-rings, grommets, bumpers and tools.  Click here to view their full line of standard products.  These products will be available on www.VibrationSolution.com beginning in July 2009.  The Vibration Solution is now offering custom engineered vibration solutions to your unquie situation or application, contact us to find out more and check back soon for further updates.