Experimental and simulation study on the damping and vibration isolation performance of metal mesh-covered bellows based on dual-index frequency-domain evaluation

Abstract The study focuses on the metal mesh-covered bellows, a critical flexible connector, and investigates its vibration isolation performance across different frequency ranges. The damping loss factor of the material is obtained through resonance beam experiments, and combined with finite element modeling, both modal and harmonic response analyses are conducted for structures with and without damping layers. Based on two frequency-domain indicators—structural loss factor and vibration level difference—the effectiveness of the damping layer is evaluated from the perspectives of energy dissipation and vibration transmission. The results demonstrate that the damping layer significantly enhances the vibration isolation performance of the bellows in low- and mid-frequency ranges, suppresses resonance responses, and broadens the effective vibration isolation bandwidth, thereby providing theoretical support for engineering applications.