Numerically Exploring the Potential of Abating the Energy Flow Peaks through Tough, Single Network Hydrogel Vibration Isolators with Chemical and Physical Cross-Links (original) (raw)

Traditional vibration isolation systems, using natural rubber vibration isolators, display large peaks for the energy flow from the machine source and into the receiving foundation, at the unavoidable rigid body resonance frequencies. However, tough, doubly cross-linked, single polymer network hydrogels, with both chemical and physical cross-links, show a high loss factor over a specific frequency range, due to the intensive adhesion–deadhesion activities of the physical cross-links. In this study, vibration isolators, made of this tough hydrogel, are theoretically applied in a realistic vibration isolation system, displaying several rigid body resonances and various energy flow transmission paths. A simulation model is developed, that includes a suitable stress–strain model, and shows a significant reduction of the energy flow peaks. In particular, the reduction is more than 30 times, as compared to the corresponding results using the natural rubber. Finally, it is shown that a sig...