Rubber mount is a typical shock absorber device, which is usually called anti vibrant mount, sandwich rubber mount, cylindrical stud mounts. It is a shock absorbing component that combines rubber material with metal parts.
Structure of Rubber Mount
The main part is made of rubber or elastomer. Both ends or one of the ends are metal parts, and part of these metal parts are inlaid with rubber and bonded together with strong adhesive. These metal parts are composed of metal plates/washers and protruding studs or embedded threaded holes.
Take male/female rubber mount as an example:
- The rubber body is usually made of high-quality rubber or elastomer. This material is chosen for its excellent vibration dampening properties.
- Metal plates are at the ends of the rubber body to provide additional reinforcement and distribute the load more evenly.
- The protruding metal studs or internal threads are usually made of steel or stainless steel for strength and durability.
- The metal piece is bonded to the rubber body using a strong adhesive. In some cases, the bonding process involves vulcanization, where the rubber is chemically bonded to the metal under heat and pressure, enhancing the durability of the rubber mount.
These metal parts have protruding stud and embedded threaded hole to connect with the equipment. Therefore, according to the different connection requirements of these connection devices, the connection metal parts at both ends also have different combinations, so rubber mounts also have many types.
Types of Rubber Mounts
Both ends are embedded threaded hole and are also commonly referred to as female/female rubber mounts.
One end is a stud and the other end is threaded hole, which can be called a male/female rubber mount.
Both ends are studs, which can be called rubber mounts with studs or male/male rubber mounts.
A rubber mount with a stud on only one end may be called a single stud rubber mount or a male/bottom rubber mount.
A rubber mount with a threaded hole on only one end can be called a single threaded hole rubber mount or a female/bottom rubber mount.
To meet the needs of some special applications, there are also tapered rubber mounts.
Rubber Mount Size
Rubber mounts are available in a variety of sizes to suit different applications and load requirements. The dimensions of a rubber mount typically include its diameter, height, and thread size.
Taking the Lingo female/male rubber mount as an example, the rubber body of the rubber mount is cylindrical, and its diameter is usually represented by “D”. The diameter of the rubber mount affects the surface area in contact with the machinery or equipment, thereby influencing the load distribution and vibration isolation. Rubber mounts come in a wide range of sizes, from as small as 8 mm to as large as 150 mm.
The height of the rubber mount is typically represented by “H”, usually referring to the height of the rubber body in the mount. The height affects the flexibility of the rubber mount and the amount of compression it can withstand. The height of rubber mounts ranges from as small as 5 mm to as large as 90 mm.
The bolt size parameters include two measurements: the bolt length is usually represented by “L1”, and the bolt diameter is represented by “M1”.
The bolt length determines the distance the stud will protrude into or through the mating part or material. The correct length is crucial for ensuring that the mount can be securely attached to the machinery or structure without the bolt being exposed too much or too little.
The bolt diameter “M1” determines the compatibility of the bolt with the corresponding threaded hole or nut in the mating part. The internal thread diameter on the other end is represented by “M2”. The “M1” and “M2” on both ends of the rubber mount are usually consistent. “M1” and “M2” can be in metric sizes, imperial sizes, or other standards. Common metric sizes for rubber mounts range from “M3 to M16”. For information on what metric screw sizes are, you can refer to this page:Metric Bolt Sizes.
The correct thread size is crucial for ensuring that the bolt can be properly screwed into the mating part. If “M1” does not match the thread size of the hole or nut, it can lead to improper fastening, thread stripping, or failure to assemble the mount correctly. If the “M2” size is incorrect, the bolt may not fit properly, leading to loose connections or difficulties in assembly.
Application of Rubber Mount
Rubber mounts are very suitable for isolating vibrations in small engines or motors. They are primarily used as damping components in equipment such as air compressors, diesel engines, gasoline engines, and water pumps, providing vibration damping and noise reduction. They offer excellent cushioning, protecting the machinery and ensuring its proper operation.
Male/male rubber mounts, female/male rubber mounts, and female/female rubber mounts are typically used for connecting components to brackets where vibration isolation between the two components is needed. These mounts require bolt connections for proper installation.
Male/bottom rubber mount or female/bottom rubber mount are used in applications where only one end needs to connect, and the other end has a flat bottom surface to provide stability. They are ideal for small household appliances and devices that require opening and closing of covers. They can also be used at the bottom of equipment that needs to be moved, with one end connecting to the equipment, and the rubber mount acting as a cushioning footpad.
Conical rubber mounts, due to their conical shape, excel at absorbing and managing high-intensity shock and vibration from multiple directions. They are excellent for isolating vibration in complex environments where forces may not be linear or predictable.
Often used to isolate vibrations in marine engines as they can handle the multi-directional forces and shocks encountered at sea. The shape also helps reduce lateral movement.
It is also ideal for use on slide able equipment to reduce damage from impacts.
Rubber Mount Working Principle
The reason rubber mounts are effective at shock absorption is due to the rubber’s ability to deform and rebound, which allows it to convert kinetic energy into thermal energy during deformation. This reduces the energy transmitted to the equipment. Therefore, rubber mounts can absorb and counteract various forces, diminishing impacts and vibrations in machinery and equipment. They primarily resist compressive and shear forces.
When the force applied to the rubber mount in the device is vertical, it results in compressive force, causing the rubber mount to compress. Rubber mounts are particularly effective at absorbing compressive forces, making them suitable for applications with vertical loads.
Shear forces are applied parallel to the surface of the rubber mount, causing it to deform through sliding. The elasticity of the rubber allows it to handle shear forces effectively, making it ideal for situations requiring control of lateral movements.
Rubber mounts primarily deal with compressive and shear forces but can also resist tensile forces and torsional forces to some extent, depending on their design and material composition. Tensile forces stretch the rubber mount along its length, while torsional forces involve twisting the rubber mount along its axis.
Rubber mounts effectively counter these forces and can return to their original shape after repeated pressure, making the hardness of the rubber material a crucial parameter. The hardness of the rubber determines the weight or load the mount can support while maintaining durability and wear resistance. Hardness is measured using the Shore A scale, with an optimal range for rubber mounts typically between 40-90 Shore A. A lower value indicates softer rubber, which provides better vibration isolation and can more effectively absorb and dissipate energy, reducing vibration transmission to surrounding structures. This is particularly important in applications requiring precise vibration isolation, such as sensitive electronic devices or lightweight machinery. A higher hardness value indicates greater load-bearing capacity and durability but offers weaker vibration isolation. Choosing the right hardness of rubber mount requires balancing vibration isolation, load capacity, and durability.
Additionally, the ability to effectively resist deformation and maintain performance after repeated deformations is an important standard for assessing the quality of a rubber mount.
Quality Inspection of Rubber Mounts
Quality inspection of rubber mounts is crucial to ensure they meet the required standards and perform effectively in their intended applications.
Lingo rubber mounts follow a rigorous product handling and testing process to ensure product performance and quality.
- Surface Inspection and Treatment
Examine the rubber mount surface for any visible defects, such as cracks or irregularities. Remove any excess material to ensure a perfect appearance and structural integrity. - Dimensional Measurement
Measure the dimensions of the rubber mount to ensure they match the design specifications, including diameter, height, thread size, and any other relevant measurements. Verify that all dimensions fall within the acceptable tolerance ranges specified by design or industry standards. - Hardness Testing
Use a Shore A durometer to measure the hardness of the rubber, testing it meets the specified hardness level, to ensure the mount’s vibration isolation and load-bearing capacity. - Tensile Strength Testing
Test the tensile strength of the rubber to ensure it can withstand tensile forces encountered during use without failure.
- Compression and Load Testing
Assess the rubber’s ability to return to its original shape after compression. Conduct load tests to evaluate its capacity to support specified loads, ensuring elasticity and long-term performance.
Adhesion Strength Testing
Check the adhesion strength between the rubber and any metal components (such as studs or plates). Perform peel tests to evaluate the quality of the bond between the rubber and metal.Vibration Testing
Simulate operational conditions to assess the mount’s effectiveness in isolating vibrations and reducing noise.Neutral Salt Spray Testing
For metal components such as plates and bolts, which are galvanized, perform a 48-hour salt spray test to ensure the product’s corrosion resistance.
