What absorbs impact better, hard plastic or silicon?

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captaincrouton
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Hello,

Not sure really where to ask this but I couldn't find a good answer so why not a physics forum, because well this involves physics. I just got a gopro for my fpv drone and I am wondering what type of case to get for it, either a plastic or silicone one. If I am going 30+ mph and smack into a tree what would absorb most of that energy and protect the gopro?

Thanks
 

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silicon- absorbs shock better
if you use plastic it will most likely crack depending on how hard it is
 
verschrankung said:
silicon- absorbs shock better

wonder where you got that info from ?
the silicon I see in semiconductors is very brittle
and I have no idea where you would get sufficient quantities from to encase a gopro ?

captaincrouton said:
what would absorb most of that energy and protect the gopro?

maybe you would be much better looking at Styrofoam or foam rubber

Dave
 
davenn said:
wonder where you got that info from ?
the silicon I see in semiconductors is very brittle
and I have no idea where you would get sufficient quantities from to encase a gopro ?
maybe you would be much better looking at Styrofoam or foam rubber

Dave
when he said silicon I was assuming a sort of malleable silicon case that is commonly seen in phone cases, not conductor silicon - however I see your point and foam rubber sounds feasible
 
There are both plastics and silicone based materials that could be used as a shock absorber.
With plastics you have more choice and they are cheaper.
 
captaincrouton said:
Not sure really where to ask this but I couldn't find a good answer so why not a physics forum, because well this involves physics. I just got a gopro for my fpv drone and I am wondering what type of case to get for it, either a plastic or silicone one. If I am going 30+ mph and smack into a tree what would absorb most of that energy and protect the gopro?
It's not just about the material, but the specific design:
- How the camera is mounted inside the hard box
- How thick the silicon is
- The mechanical weak points of the camera