Does anyone know where I can source some blocks/sheets of styrofoam? I need this to form into an internal moul so many products wont work due to the limits of shaping them. Any help would be welcome.
Adrian
A source for styrofoam
Moderators: John Dean, Moderator
Re: A source for styrofoam
Moul should be mould !A Morris wrote:Does anyone know where I can source some blocks/sheets of styrofoam? I need this to form into an internal moul so many products wont work due to the limits of shaping them. Any help would be welcome.
Adrian
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David Hardaker
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- Location: Yorkshire
Also try Sheffield Insulations - http://www.sheffins.co.uk/contact.asp They have branches all over the UK. Put "styrofoam" in the product search box and there's several Dow products listed.
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Steve Brown
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Good styrofoam is expensive and worth it /necessary only for permanent embedded aircaft parts /structure.
Bear in mind that for moulds virtually any old styrofoam/white insulation foam will do - the latter is used a lot in packing* and you can laminate /pin together thinner slabs with cocktail sticks etc to make up a thick piece for hot wire cutting & sanding to shape.
*Superstore skips are a good source
Bear in mind that for moulds virtually any old styrofoam/white insulation foam will do - the latter is used a lot in packing* and you can laminate /pin together thinner slabs with cocktail sticks etc to make up a thick piece for hot wire cutting & sanding to shape.
*Superstore skips are a good source
Only trouble is the finish and most polystyrene melts in contact with glass fibre resin.Steve Brown wrote:Good styrofoam is expensive and worth it /necessary only for permanent embedded aircaft parts /structure.
Bear in mind that for moulds virtually any old styrofoam/white insulation foam will do - the latter is used a lot in packing* and you can laminate /pin together thinner slabs with cocktail sticks etc to make up a thick piece for hot wire cutting & sanding to shape.
*Superstore skips are a good source
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Steve Brown
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- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 am
Styro foam melts in both petrol (useful sometimes to dissolve a complex male plug mould) and polyester resin ( the stinky stuff as found in Isopon / car body repair kits).
If you want to use polyester (cheaper & quick to go off (too quick sometimes) ) then carvable urethane or pvc foam is used but these must not be hotwired (gives off cyanide gas)
To make hot wireable styro moulds, you need to use epoxy such as the West system which does not dissolve styro - or at least coat the final shaped styro male mould with a glass layer & epoxy before laying polyester over it
If you want to use polyester (cheaper & quick to go off (too quick sometimes) ) then carvable urethane or pvc foam is used but these must not be hotwired (gives off cyanide gas)
To make hot wireable styro moulds, you need to use epoxy such as the West system which does not dissolve styro - or at least coat the final shaped styro male mould with a glass layer & epoxy before laying polyester over it
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Andy Draper
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- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:08 pm
If you are faced with having to buy a minimum quantity of Styrofoam that is far more than you need, try contacting Europa Aircraft (01751 431773) who will probably be happy to sell you only what you need and cut it into convenient sizes for you on their hot wire cutting machine, if you ask nicely.
Andy Draper
Andy Draper
Regards
Andy Draper
Andy Draper
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mike newall
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http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories
Please tell me people aren't still using polyester for glass layups .......!
West is Best !
Please tell me people aren't still using polyester for glass layups .......!
West is Best !
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Steve Brown
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mike newall
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Oh but the quality luvvy - think about the quality 
Having used West for 10 years, I wouldn't go back to polyester. The longer open time allows better use of resin - less - more options for finish - peel ply - lighter product, use of BID cloth gives great moulding and strength etc etc.
But there are many ways to skin the cat.
If you are only making a mould, I can see the potential benefit of polyester but for finished items - epoxy rules !
Having used West for 10 years, I wouldn't go back to polyester. The longer open time allows better use of resin - less - more options for finish - peel ply - lighter product, use of BID cloth gives great moulding and strength etc etc.
But there are many ways to skin the cat.
If you are only making a mould, I can see the potential benefit of polyester but for finished items - epoxy rules !
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Steve Brown
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- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 am
I agree - polyester (resin or filler) is total rubbish as a material for any actual aircraft product. Woven cloth, epoxy resin, epoxy based fillers & peel ply produce beautiful light parts.
Polyester also absorbs moisture so the finish falls off after a few years.
Polyester moulds made with a good gel coat can produce superb epoxy parts.
Polyester also absorbs moisture so the finish falls off after a few years.
Polyester moulds made with a good gel coat can produce superb epoxy parts.