--- title: Viscous Damper Silicone description: Vibratech TVD has perfected the use of silicone for over 65 years in viscous damping applications. image: https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hubfs/IMAGES-blog/silicone-black-bg.jpg --- [![Vibratech TVD - Torsional Viscous Dampers](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMAGES-web/logo-VB.png?width=298&height=136&name=logo-VB.png "Vibratech TVD - Torsional Viscous Dampers")](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/) - [OEM SERVICES](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/oem-services) - [VISCOUS DAMPERS](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/torsional-dampers) - [Benefits](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/torsional-dampers#benefits) - [How it Works](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/torsional-dampers#howitworks) - [Crankshaft Dampers](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/torsional-dampers#crankshaft) - [Camshaft Dampers](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/torsional-dampers#camshaft) - [Driveline Dampers](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/torsional-dampers#drivelinedampers) - [Electric Drive Dampers](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/torsional-dampers#edrive) - [INDUSTRIES](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/industries) - [On-Highway](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/on-highway) - [Off-Highway / Machine](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/off-highway-machinery) - [Oil, Gas & Energy](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/oil-gas-energy) - [Marine](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/marine) - [Motorsports](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/motorsports) - [Defense](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/defense) - [Rail](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/rail) - [CATALOG DAMPERS](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/catalog-dampers) - [Caterpillar](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/caterpillar-replacement-dampers) - [Cummins](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/cummins-replacement-dampers) - [Detroit Diesel](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/detroit-diesel-replacement-dampers) - [International/Navistar](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/international-navistar-replacement-dampers) - [Mack](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/mack-replacement-dampers) - [Cooper / GE / Mitsubishi / Waukesha](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/cooper-ge-mitsubishi-waukesha) - [> When To Replace](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/when-to-replace-damper) - [> Where To Buy](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/where-to-buy) - [> Remanufacturing](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/remanufacturing-program) - EDUCATE - [Tech Articles](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/tech-articles) - [VIBRA-BLOG](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/vibra-blog) - [COMPANY](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/about-us) - [About Us](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/about-us) - [Machining Services](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/horschel-brothers-precision) - [Contact](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/contact) [Back to blog](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/vibra-blog) ## Viscous Damper Silicone ![Picture of Brian LeBarron](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hubfs/1456_hs-400x400.jpg) [Brian LeBarron](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/vibra-blog/author/brian-lebarron) Jul 28, 2015 [Viscous Dampers](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/vibra-blog/tag/viscous-dampers) 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. 1.        High energy dissipation 2.        High tensile strength 3.        Density 4.        Low friction properties ## ![silicone-new](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/unknown-1593004377663.jpg?width=273&name=unknown-1593004377663.jpg) ## 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. ![silicone-wear](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/unknown-1593004377663-1.jpg?width=380&name=unknown-1593004377663-1.jpg)   ## Moving Forward ![lib-icon-gen-evolve](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMAGES-web/TECH%20ARTICLES/lib-icon-gen-evolve.png?width=196&name=lib-icon-gen-evolve.png)While silicone has proven to be a superior damping medium, work continues at Vibratech TVD.  Read/Download '[Viscous Dampers: Evolving To Meet New Needs & Applications](https://www.vibratechtvd.com/tech-articles/evolving-to-meet-new-needs-applications)' and you'll gain broad insight on how viscous dampers have progressed to meet today's challenges.   ## Related Articles ## [An Early History of the Torsional Viscous Damper](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/vibra-blog/an-early-history-of-the-torsional-viscous-damper) May 31, 2017 ![An Early History of the Torsional Viscous Damper](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/unknown-1593002972488-2.jpg) > "Houde's announcement of the new damper says: 'It should prove one of the most important engineering discoveries of recent years.'"  Buffalo Evening News.  March 13, 1946. [Read More](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/vibra-blog/an-early-history-of-the-torsional-viscous-damper) 0 Comments ## [Why A Viscous Damper Optimizes Performance](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/vibra-blog/why-a-viscous-damper-optimizes-performance) Feb 19, 2015 ![Why A Viscous Damper Optimizes Performance](https://blog.vibratechtvd.com/hubfs/Rich%20Text%20Pasting/unknown-1593004655118.jpg) In our previous post, we explained torsional vibration. Torsional vibration can be categorized under Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) and directly impacts powertrain... 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