ABOUT SORBOTHANE®

SORBOTHANE®, INC. INNOVATING SHOCK & VIBRATION SOLUTIONS

For over 35 years, Sorbothane, Inc. has been – and will continue to be – the innovative and trusted choice of engineers worldwide for developing materials and components that isolate vibration, attenuate shock and damp unwanted noise. Sorbothane® is used in numerous industries as a solution to a wide range of challenges. From the aerospace and aeronautical industries to the sporting goods and fitness industry, Sorbothane provides innovative shock and vibration solutions.

Sorbothane, Inc. has manufactured and supplied Sorbothane Insoles for over three decades. Sorbothane Comfort & Performance Insoles are recommended by doctors, sports medicine specialists and professional trainers. They can absorb harmful impact shock – defending against foot and back pain and helping to prevent impact-related injuries.

THE DISCOVERY OF SORBOTHANE

Materials scientist Dr. Maurice Hiles was working on the development of a synthetic material that could absorb harmful shock. Dr. Hiles embarked on a series of bold and fascinating human experiments. He had electrical probes surgically implanted into his own leg thus becoming a human test subject. These probes measured the effect that running and walking have on the human body.

The results of his experiments were surprising – they showed that the human body is subjected to a dangerous amount of force when running. Dr. Hiles began working on a material that could absorb harmful heel-strike shock before it entered the body. This new material would also need to possess excellent memory and perform over a long period of time.

Patterned after the body’s own shock absorbers, human flesh and the calcaneal fat pad – Dr. Hiles named his new synthetic material Sorbothane. Dr. Hile’s unique viscoelastic material was awarded a 17-year patent and its initial application included the development of shock-absorbing Sorbothane Insoles to protect the body from harmful shock.

THE SCIENCE OF SHOCK-ABSORBING SORBOTHANE

Sorbothane distorts easily and recovers completely. It can cope with energy in more than one direction. Sorbothane has the characteristics of both viscous (liquid) and elastic (solid) materials, which is ideal for impact-absorbing insoles. Sorbothane distorts under load and returns to its original shape after a slight delay. The energy from a Sorbothane deflection is converted into a very small amount of heat, which then dissipates naturally.

The result is a unique impact absorbing material with the ability to absorb up to 94.7% of shock and isolate vibration even after repeated cycles.

A proprietary material Sorbothane has been used by NASA for its remarkable ability to isolate vibration and control shock. Sorbothane Performance Insoles cradle the foot in comfort and help protect against impact related pain and discomfort. Resilient, Sorbothane will not bottom out and lose effectiveness.

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