Selecting rubber sheets for machine mounts

Rubber sheets play a central role in industrial applications in the safe and long-lasting installation of machines. They form the interface between the system and the substrate and therefore directly influence stability, vibration transmission and the long-term function of the entire construction.

Without a suitable machine mounting, loads arise that affect adjacent components, foundations and even the building. At the same time, wear on the machine itself increases. A carefully selected rubber sheet ensures controlled force distribution, reduces unwanted movement and creates a stable basis for operation.

In addition to the pure load-bearing function, the focus is above all on the targeted damping of vibrations. Depending on the area of application, different requirements may apply to material, hardness and thickness. A well-founded selection helps to extend the service life of machines, reduce maintenance intervals and keep operational safety at a consistently high level.

Requirements for rubber machine mountings

Rubber machine mountings must fulfil several physical and chemical requirements at the same time. The focus is on the ability to reliably absorb both static loads and dynamic forces and to dissipate them evenly into the substrate. The combination of elasticity and dimensional stability plays a central role here.

In addition to the pure load-bearing capacity, the rubber sheet significantly influences the vibration characteristics of a machine. It acts as a damping element and reduces the transmission of vibrations into the surroundings. At the same time, it compensates for minor unevenness and ensures a stable contact surface that minimises movement and stress.

Resistance to external influences is also one of the fundamental requirements. Depending on the place of use, oils, chemicals, moisture or temperature fluctuations act on the material. The rubber sheet must withstand these conditions permanently without losing elasticity or load-bearing capacity.

The specific design is always based on the respective machine, the place of use and the operational requirements. A blanket solution rarely leads to optimum results.

Materials compared

The selection of the right material forms the basis for the performance of a machine mounting. Different elastomers have specific properties that directly affect damping, resistance and service life. The decision should therefore always be made in the context of the actual operating conditions.

EPDM

EPDM impresses with its high resistance to weathering, ozone and UV radiation. This makes this material particularly suitable for applications outdoors or in damp environments. EPDM also remains dimensionally stable and elastic under temperature fluctuations, which makes it a reliable solution for long-term use.

NBR

NBR is characterised by pronounced resistance to oils, greases and fuels. In industrial applications with hydraulic systems or lubricants, this material offers a high level of safety against material degradation. At the same time, NBR has good mechanical properties, which make it suitable for loaded machine mountings.

SBR

SBR represents an economical solution for standard applications. The material offers solid mechanical properties and sufficient damping performance for many industrial areas of application. Under moderate ambient conditions and without special chemical exposure, SBR is a practical and cost-efficient choice.

Natural rubber (NR)

Natural rubber offers particularly high elasticity and excellent recovery properties. These properties enable effective absorption and reduction of vibrations. In applications with strong dynamic loads or sensitive machines, natural rubber ensures very good decoupling from the substrate.

Determining hardness, thickness and load capacity correctly

A rubber sheet is selected using three central parameters:

Hardness (Shore A):

• soft: high damping, lower load-bearing capacity
• medium: balanced properties
• hard: high load-bearing capacity, lower damping

Thickness:

• thin: low deformation, limited damping
• thick: higher vibration absorption and better decoupling

Load capacity: The surface load determines the suitable material thickness. Heavy machines require thicker and harder sheets.

A precise coordination of these parameters ensures a stable and long-lasting solution.

Vibration damping and decoupling

Machines continuously generate vibrations during operation, which spread through the substrate and are transmitted to adjacent components. Rubber sheets act as an elastic intermediate layer and reduce this transmission in a targeted manner. This improves both the smooth running of the machine and the load situation in the entire surroundings.

The damping effect arises from the material's ability to absorb kinetic energy and partially convert it into heat. Softer rubber sheets allow greater deformation and therefore higher vibration absorption. Harder variants, on the other hand, offer a more stable support and are suitable for applications with high loads.

A precise coordination between damping and stability ensures optimum results. Factors such as speed, weight, installation area and operating behaviour of the machine play an important role here. Targeted decoupling reduces noise development, protects adjacent constructions and improves the overall performance of the system.

Chemical resistance and environmental factors

The environment significantly influences the choice of material.

Typical influencing factors:

• oils and lubricants
• cleaning agents and chemicals
• temperature ranges
• moisture or outdoor weathering

NBR is suitable for oil-containing environments, EPDM for applications exposed to weathering. The wrong choice of material leads to premature wear.

Typical areas of application

Rubber sheets are used in many industrial areas:

• machine foundations
• compressors and pumps
• production systems
• conveyor technology
• assemblies and motors

Every application places its own requirements on material, thickness and hardness.

Avoiding mistakes in selection

Typical mistakes arise from imprecise coordination of the parameters:

• insufficient material thickness under high load
• wrong material under chemical exposure
• unsuitable hardness for the desired damping

A well-founded selection reduces maintenance effort and increases operational safety.

Dimensionally accurate cut pieces and installation

Dimensionally accurate cut pieces enable exact adaptation of the rubber sheets to the respective machine and its support points. This creates an even load distribution that avoids localised overloads and improves the function of the mounting.

A precisely manufactured rubber sheet ensures stable positioning of the machine and reduces unwanted movement. At the same time, the damping effect can be specifically coordinated with the respective application, since material thickness and area are precisely defined.

During installation, the quality of the contact surface plays an important role. A clean and level base ensures that the rubber sheet can fully develop its function. In combination with the right choice of material, this creates a long-lasting solution that permanently meets the requirements of everyday industrial use.

Selection aid by application

Quick orientation facilitates the pre-selection of suitable rubber sheets for typical use cases.

Application	Recommended material	Hardness (Shore A)	Thickness
Compressor / pump	NBR	60–70	10–20 mm
Heavy machines / presses	SBR / NR	70–80	20–40 mm
Outdoor systems / damp environment	EPDM	60–70	10–25 mm
Conveyor technology / assemblies	SBR / NBR	60–75	10–30 mm

Practical examples

For compressors and pumps, the focus is on reducing structure-borne noise. NBR sheets of medium hardness are often used here, as they absorb vibrations and at the same time remain oil-resistant.

CNC machines require a stable support with controlled damping. Combinations of higher hardness and sufficient material thickness ensure precise machine running.

In plant engineering, rubber sheets are often used to decouple complete assemblies. Here, in addition to load-bearing capacity, even load distribution above all plays an important role.

Calculating surface load

The selection of the right rubber sheet is based on the surface load. This results from the ratio of weight to support area.

Formula: weight of the machine (kg) / support area (cm²) = surface load (kg/cm²)

A realistic calculation enables the suitable combination of material, hardness and thickness.

Rubber sheets vs. alternatives

Rubber sheets offer a simple and robust solution for vibration damping. Alternatives such as metal springs or special vibration dampers are used in very precise or highly dynamic applications. PU elements also offer good damping properties, but often do not achieve the same adaptability as classic elastomers.

Technical guide values

Typical values for orientation:

• Shore hardness: 50–80 Shore A depending on application
• Temperature range: approx. -20 °C to +100 °C (depending on material)
• Compressive load: depending on material and thickness

How to choose in 3 steps

The selection of a suitable rubber sheet can be structured systematically.

1. Define the application Determine the type of machine, place of use and ambient conditions.

2. Determine the load Calculate weight, support area and dynamic influences.

3. Choose material and design Combine material, hardness and thickness in a targeted manner.

Decision logic by use

A quick assignment facilitates the choice of material:

• Oil-containing environment: NBR
• Outdoor area and moisture: EPDM
• High vibration dynamics: natural rubber (NR)
• Standard applications: SBR

Material comparison at a glance

Property	EPDM	NBR	SBR	NR
Weathering	very good	limited	limited	low
Oil resistance	low	very good	low	low
Damping	good	good	medium	very good
Elasticity	good	medium	medium	very high
Area of use	outdoor	oil-containing	standard	dynamic

Practical limit values

• Up to approx. 500 kg machine weight: 8–15 mm thickness sufficient
• 500–2000 kg: 15–30 mm depending on support area
• Over 2000 kg: >30 mm and higher hardness advisable
• Low frequencies: softer materials for better damping
• High loads: higher hardness for stable support

Typical mistakes from practice

In practice, recurring problems occur with incorrectly selected machine mountings. A rubber sheet that is too soft leads to an unstable machine position and uneven load distribution. Materials that are too hard significantly reduce damping and transmit vibrations almost unhindered.

The wrong choice of material also causes damage. On contact with oils or chemicals, unsuitable rubber can swell or become brittle, as a result of which the function of the mounting quickly declines. A precise coordination prevents these effects and ensures stable use.

Enquiry and advice

A perfectly fitting machine mounting is created through the combination of technical analysis and practical experience. Every application brings its own requirements, which arise from weight, dynamics, installation area and ambient conditions. Well-founded advice takes these factors into account and leads to a solution that functions stably in the long term.

In the first step, the relevant parameters are recorded. These include the machine weight, the number and size of the support points and the type of vibrations that arise. Ambient conditions such as temperature, moisture or contact with oils and chemicals are also incorporated into the selection.

On this basis, the suitable material is selected and the hardness and material thickness are determined. Dimensionally accurate cut pieces then ensure exact adaptation to the machine, whereby an even load distribution and clean decoupling are achieved.

For specific projects, an individual enquiry with technical key data is recommended. On this basis, a solution can be developed that is exactly tailored to your application and functions reliably in daily operation.

Frequently asked questions

Which rubber sheet is suitable for heavy machines?

For heavy machines, thicker rubber sheets with higher hardness are suitable in many cases, so that the load is absorbed safely and distributed evenly. The decisive factors are machine weight, support area and the vibrations that arise.

Which rubber sheet is suitable for oil-containing environments?

For applications with oils, greases or fuels, NBR is usually the appropriate choice. This material offers good resistance to oil-containing media and is therefore frequently used in mechanical engineering.

When is EPDM the better choice?

EPDM is particularly suitable for outdoor areas as well as for applications with moisture, ozone and UV exposure. For systems outdoors or in damp production environments, this material is often very well suited.

What role does Shore hardness play in machine mountings?

The Shore hardness influences how strongly the rubber sheet deforms under load. Softer sheets damp vibrations more strongly, harder sheets offer more stability and are better suited for high loads.

How thick should a rubber sheet be for machine mountings?

The suitable thickness depends on weight, support area, frequency and desired damping. Lighter machines often manage with lower material thicknesses, while heavy systems usually require significantly thicker sheets.

How is the suitable surface load calculated?

The surface load results from the weight of the machine divided by the total support area. This value helps to select the material, hardness and thickness of the rubber sheet professionally.

Can a rubber sheet that is too soft be problematic?

Yes, a rubber sheet that is too soft can lead to excessive deformation, unstable installation and uneven load distribution. This reduces operational safety and the machine can run less smoothly.

What happens with a machine mounting that is too hard?

If the rubber sheet is chosen too hard, vibrations are transmitted more strongly into the substrate. This reduces the damping effect and adjacent components or foundations can be subjected to greater loads.

Are dimensionally accurate cut pieces advisable for machine mountings?

Dimensionally accurate cut pieces ensure clean adaptation to the machine and support points. This improves the load distribution and the mounting can fulfil its function more reliably in daily operation.

For which machines are rubber sheets frequently used?

Typical areas of use are compressors, pumps, production systems, assemblies, conveyor technology and machine foundations. Depending on the application, the requirements for material, hardness and thickness differ significantly.

Our rubber sheets

For industry and trade, we offer a wide variety of rubber sheets.

SBR rubber sheet

Our high-quality SBR rubber sheet (styrene-butadiene rubber) is the solution for numerous industrial and commercial applications. This rubber sheet is manufactured from first-class styrene-butadiene rubber and is characterised by its outstanding physical properties.

EPDM rubber sheet

Discover the versatility and reliability of our EPDM rubber sheet, which is manufactured from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). This high-quality elastomer solution has been specially developed to meet the most demanding industrial and commercial applications.

NBR rubber sheet

The NBR rubber sheet is a high-quality industrial product that has been specially developed for applications where excellent resistance to oils, greases and various chemicals is required.

Viton rubber sheet

The Viton rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is used for a wide range of industrial applications. Manufactured from fluoro rubber (FKM), it offers outstanding properties that make it the ideal choice for extreme conditions.

FKM rubber sheet

The FKM rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is ideal for use in demanding industrial applications. Made from fluoro rubber (FKM), it is characterised by a wide range of outstanding properties that make it the optimum choice for extreme operating conditions.

Silicone rubber sheet

The silicone rubber sheet is a first-class technical product that has been specially developed for applications that place high demands on temperature resistance and flexibility.

PUR rubber sheet

The PUR rubber sheet, made from high-quality polyurethane, is a technically advanced product that has been developed for applications that place the highest demands on abrasion resistance and mechanical load capacity.

Neoprene rubber sheet

The Neoprene rubber sheet, manufactured from high-quality chloroprene rubber (CR), is a versatile technical product that is ideal for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.