Vibratech TVD has perfected the use of silicone for over 70 years in viscous damping applications. As a vibration damping medium, silicone provides four key properties.
- High energy dissipation
- High tensile strength
- Density
- Low friction properties
Viscous Damping Silicone In Extreme Environments
The silicone in a Vibratech TVD heavy duty torsional damper retains these properties to as low as -40oF. These dampers can be found protecting gas compression pumping engines, gensets, off-highway equipment and semi-trucks engines in the frigid Alaskan oil fields.
Viscous Damping Silicone Does Wear Out
While silicone is a superior damping medium to other alternatives, in heavy duty applications it will eventually wear out from normal operating conditions. Over an extended period of time the silicone will gradually harden. If the viscous damper is not replaced or refurbished, the silicone could polymerize into a solid paste and lock the internal inertia ring.
Regular damper replacement or refurbishing is critical to longer engine life. While recommended intervals vary depending on engine manufacturer, the average is about 500,000 miles / 15,000 hours or at major engine overhauls.
Moving Forward
While silicone has proven to be a superior damping medium, work continues at Vibratech TVD. Read 'Viscous Dampers: Evolving To Meet New Needs & Applications' and you'll gain broad insight on how viscous dampers have progressed to meet today's challenges.
