Damping Parameter Converter
Convert between loss factor η, damping ratio ζ, quality factor Q, logarithmic decrement δ, and half-power bandwidth.
Mechanical damping is expressed in five equivalent but dimensionally distinct forms across different engineering disciplines and measurement standards: loss factor η (structural damping coefficient, common in vibration isolation and material datasheets), damping ratio ζ (fraction of critical damping, used in control systems and modal analysis), quality factor Q (resonance sharpness, used in mechanical and electrical resonators), logarithmic decrement δ (decay ratio per cycle, measured from free-ring-down experiments), and half-power bandwidth Δf (Hz, measured from a frequency-response function). All five are related by η ≈ 2ζ ≈ 1/Q ≈ δ/π ≈ Δf/f_n for light damping. This converter accepts any one parameter and returns all five, including both the small-angle approximation and exact form for η and δ. The tool also reports the number of cycles required to decay to 10% amplitude.