Wire rope vibration isolators (WRI) are used to protect particularly sensitive and high technology products from severe dynamic loads such as shock and vibration. WRI is widely used in many industries, especially in the defense and space industry. In this study, the effect of rope material used in WRIs on vibration characteristics was experimentally investigated. WRIs were fabricated using nuflex, stainless steel and galvanized steel ropes as the main material component of the rope. Design and fabrication of 3 identical WRI models each with a rope diameter of 3 mm, namely Nufleks (NWRI), stainless (SWRI) and galvanized steel rope vibration isolator (GWRI), were performed. The produced WRI models were subjected to tensile-compression tests under different speed and pre-load conditions and then, force-displacement responses were obtained. In addition, dynamic vibration tests of WRI models were performed using the shaker system and accelerometers. As a result of the studies, it was observed that the rope material used in the WRIs significantly affected the vibration characteristics. When the quasi-static test results are examined, it is clearly understood that GWRI exhibits a more rigid characteristic compared to other models. At the same time, when the damping ratios obtained from hysteretic cycles are compared, it is clearly seen SWRI has the highest damping ratio. When the dynamic tests performed by shaker are examined, it is clearly seen that the isolator with the best vibration isolation characteristics is SWRI.

Some machines, such as heavy presses and rammers, can be exposed to big shock and inertial forces under dynamic severe working conditions. Even if vibration isolation to the foundations of machines operating under dynamic loads is applied, the exposure of these machines to shock and resonance loads may not be adequately prevented. The sensitivity of these machines, the product quality, or life span can also incredibly decrease. Therefore, it is essential to know the vibration behaviors of machine bodies and parts. This study investigates vibration characteristics of polymer matrix composite (PMC) materials by the experimental modal test method. Nine different composite beam samples having sizes of 20 × 25 × 480 mm were produced for modal tests. Composite beams contain different ratios of aggregate and epoxy resin. Each composite beam’s natural frequencies and damping ratios were defined with frequency response and coherence functions taken from the experimental modal tests. The results from the modal analysis revealed that the most influential parameter on the vibration properties was the gravel ratio. As a result of the experimental study, it was concluded that while epoxy-resin, gravel and fine-sand additives increased the stiffness of PMC beam, gravel and fine sand additives also increased the damping rate of PMC beam.