What Material absorbs shock better? Rubber or plastic?

[Jack7122]

For example a phone in a case is dropped, would it suffer more in a plastic case or a rubber case?

Thanks

 

[SteamKing]

Depends on what kind of plastic. Most of the hard plastics like ABS and polystyrene are subject to breaking or shattering if the impact is energetic enough. If your case was made from puffy polystyrene like packing peanuts, it would probably survive at least one impact, but it wouldn't be too durable in the long run.

There's a reason rubber is used for things like tires and vibration isolation, rather than plastic.

 

[Jack7122]

I'm not too sure about the types of plastic used for the hard cases, but I know neoprene rubber, sillicone, and TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane) are often used for the soft cases.

The plastic cases definitely seem like they would be more brittle and prone to cracking, but would they prevent impact energy transfer to a phone during a drop/hit more effectively?

The case itself breaking wouldn't be a problem as long as the phone doesn't get damaged, I'm more interested in how much shock energy would get to the actual phone with the different materials.

 

[SteamKing]

Plastics like ABS and polystyrene are very commonly used to make cases for phones, calculators, etc. There is a long history of using such materials and they used to be fairly cheap to use in manufacturing, but since the basic ingredients are made from petroleum or natural gas, plastics like ABS and PS have become more expensive in recent years.

IDK how much shock energy is transmitted to the phone mechanism. I don't think the manufacturers know or care either. They make money by selling you a new phone periodically. Adding new features to the basic phone also helps to create a demand for new phones, and there are many people who must have the latest gadget. The days of having a phone company install a basic handset which would last for decades are gone for good. It's a disposable world now, baby.

There may be some shock-proof phones available. They probably wouldn't look too sleek, though.

 

[alphy]

for your question! I can provide some insights on the material properties of rubber and plastic and how they may affect shock absorption.

Firstly, let's define shock absorption. Shock absorption refers to a material's ability to dissipate or absorb energy when it is subjected to a sudden impact or force. In this case, we are talking about dropping a phone in a case, so we are interested in a material's ability to absorb the impact of the phone hitting the ground.

Rubber and plastic are both commonly used materials for phone cases, but they have different properties that affect their shock absorption abilities. Rubber is known for its elasticity, meaning it can stretch and return to its original shape. This property allows rubber to absorb energy by deforming or stretching when a force is applied to it. On the other hand, plastic is not as elastic and may not deform as much when subjected to an impact.

In terms of shock absorption, rubber would likely be a better material than plastic. This is because rubber's ability to stretch and deform allows it to absorb more energy from the impact of the phone hitting the ground. Plastic, on the other hand, may not deform as much and therefore may not absorb as much energy, potentially leading to more damage to the phone.

However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of shock absorption also depends on the specific type and thickness of rubber or plastic used in the phone case. Different types of rubber and plastic have varying levels of elasticity and may be designed to have different levels of shock absorption. Additionally, the thickness of the material can also play a role in how much shock is absorbed.

In conclusion, while rubber may generally be a better material for shock absorption compared to plastic, the specific type and thickness of the material used in the phone case will ultimately determine its effectiveness in protecting the phone from impact damage.