If machines are shaking, rattling, or making noise—vibration is silently damaging your equipment and product quality.
Flexible silicone sheets absorb vibration and reduce noise by isolating movement and distributing mechanical energy evenly across surfaces.
I first started using silicone sheets for vibration control when rubber pads kept cracking under heat. That switch solved not only the durability issue but also improved the equipment’s stability and sound control.
What Makes Silicone Ideal for Vibration Damping?
Some materials dampen vibration, but few survive long-term stress and heat like silicone does.
Silicone sheets are ideal for vibration damping because they combine flexibility, durability, and high temperature resistance with excellent mechanical shock absorption.
Silicone absorbs and dissipates energy due to its viscoelastic nature. That means it deforms under force but returns to shape without cracking. It doesn’t harden over time like rubber and holds up well in hot, cold, or wet conditions.
Key features:
- Wide temperature range (–60°C to +230°C)
- Compression set resistance
- UV and ozone stability
- Chemical and oil resistance
Compared to rubber or foam, silicone stays stable under repeated stress. That’s why I recommend it for both industrial and consumer applications.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Property | Silicone Sheet | EPDM Rubber | Foam Pad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Poor |
| Long-Term Elasticity | Excellent | Fair | Poor |
| Weather Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Poor |
| Vibration Damping | Very Good | Good | Fair |
I used it on a laser cutting table to reduce chassis noise. The improvement in vibration isolation was immediate.
How Do Silicone Sheets Reduce Vibration?
I used to think vibration control was all about weight—but it’s actually about energy absorption and rebound control.
Silicone sheets reduce vibration by absorbing kinetic energy through compression and flexing, preventing it from transferring through to surrounding structures.
Vibration is just energy. When a flexible silicone sheet sits between two surfaces, it absorbs part of the movement and converts it to low-level heat instead of allowing it to bounce or rattle.
The effectiveness depends on:
- Shore A hardness: Softer sheets absorb more
- Thickness: Thicker sheets isolate better
- Surface area: Larger sheets distribute force better
- Compression rate: Material must return to shape consistently
I use this basic setup:
- Below 40 Shore A for delicate electronics or noise dampening
- 50–60 Shore A for machine pads, panels, or mounts
- 70+ Shore A for heavy industrial equipment
In one case, we installed 4mm, 50 Shore A silicone sheets under a conveyor base. The noise dropped by 40%, and the wear on bolts and joints decreased noticeably after 3 months.
What Applications Benefit Most from Vibration-Damping Silicone?
Anywhere there’s motion, there’s vibration—and that’s where silicone works best.
Silicone damping sheets are used in electronics, automotive systems, HVAC units, heavy equipment, and consumer appliances to isolate and absorb unwanted movement.
Some common use cases I’ve worked on:
- Electronics: PCB spacers and cushion layers
- Medical devices: Noise reduction and delicate handling
- Automotive: Engine mounts, dashboards, and battery pads
- HVAC systems: Fan mounts and duct panel isolation
- Industrial machines: Anti-vibration pads under heavy motors
Here’s a breakdown:
| Industry | Application | Recommended Shore A | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | Sensor mounts, PCB cushions | 20–30 | 1–2 mm |
| HVAC | Duct vibration pads | 40–50 | 2–3 mm |
| Automotive | Engine or battery damping pads | 50–60 | 2–4 mm |
| Machinery | Mount base isolators | 60–70 | 4–8 mm |
One of our clients used our silicone under industrial sewing machines. The vibration was damaging needles and affecting stitch quality. The silicone fixed both issues with just a 3mm layer.
Can Flexible Silicone Be Customized for Better Vibration Control?
Off-the-shelf pads work sometimes—but custom shapes perform far better when tolerances are tight.
Yes, flexible silicone sheets can be custom-cut, shaped, and layered with adhesive to match the size, thickness, and damping properties required for specific machines or parts.
Customizations include:
- Thickness: From 0.5 mm up to 10 mm
- Shore hardness: Typically 20–70 A depending on vibration severity
- Shape: Die-cut circles, rectangles, or intricate patterns
- Adhesive backing: For fast install and alignment
- Surface texture: Ribbed or grooved for better grip
For a precision CNC machine, we provided die-cut silicone rings with a 3 mm wall and central hole. This let the spindle mount float slightly, absorbing vibration and improving precision.
Customization helps reduce material waste and speeds up installation. I always recommend testing a few prototype cuts before final production.
How Long Do Silicone Damping Sheets Last?
Rubber pads usually wear out fast. I’ve replaced dozens of them over the years. Silicone, on the other hand, just keeps going.
Silicone vibration-damping sheets can last over 10 years in continuous use, with minimal performance degradation under normal operating conditions.
Silicone resists:
- Permanent compression (compression set)
- Tearing and abrasion
- Chemical exposure from oils or coolants
- UV, ozone, and oxidation
That’s why I use them for long-life systems like solar inverters, HVAC units, and factory automation lines. Even after thousands of vibration cycles, they retain shape and softness.
For high-heat areas, platinum-cured silicone performs even better. We used it in a lab mixer that runs at 80°C non-stop, and the pads are still in perfect shape after two years.
Here’s a quick performance summary:
| Factor | Silicone Sheet | Standard Rubber |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Up to 230°C | Up to 100–120°C |
| UV/Ozone Aging | Excellent | Poor |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years+ | 1–3 years |
Where Can I Source High-Performance Silicone Damping Sheets?
I’ve tried cheap silicone pads before—but they lost shape within weeks. Quality really matters.
Choose suppliers who offer tested Shore A hardness, full specs on temperature and chemical resistance, and custom cutting for your application.
Look for:
- ✅ Certified Shore hardness and compression set data
- ✅ Temperature and durability ratings
- ✅ RoHS and REACH compliance for safe usage
- ✅ Custom-cutting and adhesive options
- ✅ Technical support for prototyping
RuiYang Silicone, we manufacture high-performance silicone sheets designed for vibration damping. We offer standard and custom formats, with durometer options from 20–70 Shore A, plus laser cutting and adhesive backing for easy installation.
Whether you’re dampening the buzz in an HVAC duct or reducing wear in a production machine, our sheets are built for long-term performance.
Conclusion
Flexible silicone sheets are one of the most effective, durable, and customizable materials for controlling vibration across a wide range of industries.
