When industrial equipment runs day after day under heavy loads, vibration is inevitable. But when vibration mounts fail — cracking, delaminating, or hardening — they can cause serious damage to machinery, reduce product lifespan, and increase downtime.

Designing rubber vibration mounts that last in tough conditions requires more than just picking a rubber compound. It’s about balancing material science, geometry, and manufacturing precision.

Here’s how to get it right — and how Primo Rubber Co. can help.

Understanding How Vibration Mounts Work

A vibration mount isolates motion between a vibrating source (like a motor or pump) and a rigid structure (like a frame or chassis). The rubber element absorbs and dissipates mechanical energy, protecting surrounding components from fatigue and wear.

The ideal mount strikes a balance between stiffness and flexibility: soft enough to isolate vibration, yet strong enough to handle static loads without deformation or creep.

1. Choose the Right Rubber Compound

Your compound choice is the foundation of your mount’s performance. In industrial environments, rubber must resist heat, oil, ozone, and constant mechanical stress.

Compound Best For Notes
Natural Rubber (NR) Excellent dynamic properties Ideal for vibration absorption but limited chemical resistance
Neoprene (CR) Oil and ozone resistance Great all-purpose choice for machinery and HVAC
Nitrile (NBR) Oil and fuel resistance Excellent for hydraulic or engine-mounted systems
EPDM Weather and ozone resistance Perfect for outdoor or high-UV environments
Silicone Extreme temperature stability Suitable for both hot and cold conditions

If the mount will be exposed to oils, fuels, or chemicals, avoid natural rubber. If it’s outdoors or near ozone sources, EPDM or Neoprene are better options.

2. Optimize the Geometry

The shape of a vibration mount directly affects how it performs under load.

  • Conical mounts handle both compression and shear — good for engines and compressors.
  • Cylindrical mounts excel in shear loading and are easier to manufacture.
  • Bonded sandwich mounts (metal-rubber-metal) are ideal for higher loads or multidirectional vibration.

During design, ensure:

  • Uniform stress distribution across the rubber section
  • Adequate bonding surface area if bonded to metal
  • Clearance for compression and rebound movement

3. Don’t Overlook the Rubber-to-Metal Bond

If your mount includes a steel or aluminum plate, bond integrity is often the failure point.

Proper bonding depends on:

  • Surface prep: Grit-blasting and degreasing the metal for maximum adhesion
  • Primer system: Two-layer adhesive coatings designed for rubber-to-metal bonding
  • Cure conditions: Correct temperature and pressure during molding to ensure full chemical crosslinking

4. Account for Environmental Factors

Temperature swings, UV exposure, and fluid contact all degrade rubber over time.
When designing mounts for harsh industrial environments, consider:

  • Operating temperature range (both continuous and peak)
  • Exposure to lubricants, coolants, or solvents
  • Outdoor conditions like ozone and sunlight
  • Load cycles per day — static compression and dynamic shear fatigue

Selecting the right compound and design early can double or triple the service life of your mount.

5. Validate with Testing

Testing ensures the mount performs as intended in the field. Common validation steps include:

  • Dynamic fatigue testing to measure vibration damping and spring rate stability
  • Tensile and shear strength testing for bonded assemblies
  • Compression set testing to confirm resilience over time

At Primo Rubber Co., we can partner with customers to test prototype mounts before full production — ensuring long-term reliability before a single unit hits the field.

Built for Harsh Conditions

Whether it’s a generator mount, compressor isolator, or industrial machinery bushing, the key to durability is understanding both the material and the environment.

At Primo Rubber Co., we specialize in custom rubber injection molding. If you’re tired of mounts failing early or suppliers missing quality marks, contact us today to start designing a mount that lasts.