Foam core from HomeDepot

**noli** · 06-03-2022, 11:13 AM

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Anyone ever use the Owens Corning foam from HomeDepot as coring material in your center console ?

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**noli** · 06-03-2022, 11:18 AM

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This is the console for testing this foam core material on ..

I'm cutting the console on the red line

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**Tague** · 06-03-2022, 12:06 PM

It is a very low density foam, would be suitable for insulation foam but not structural. Any resin system other than epoxy will eat it as well.

**doug7488** · 06-03-2022, 01:53 PM

A friend has used the tan insulation board
generally has a black plastic face - that you have to-peel off
you might get it unfaced too
anyway- I’m under the impression that it’s a urethane foam
it takes vinylester resin well
hes used it for gussets and such
i wouldn’t make anything structural out of it
im sure it would be fine for console
maybe the resident glass guys could give a better option

**noli** · 06-03-2022, 01:57 PM

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nice Doug , good to know!

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**noli** · 06-03-2022, 01:57 PM

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The console will not carry any kind of load, I just don't want it flexing when I hit the waves, thus this foam's low density is perfect for the console

My other two concerns are ..
1. Will it hold up to the temps of epoxy resin when it hits its maximum thermal temps
2. holding power between two foam parts

here's a pic of epoxy resin with fast hardeners with no visible deformities due to high temps of epoxy resin curing

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**noli** · 06-03-2022, 01:59 PM

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here is a pic of the epoxy that has cured two foam parts. Pretty strong , I could not pull it apart. Obviously this is not a scientific lab test, but the strength is there!

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**noli** · 06-03-2022, 02:18 PM

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please note in above pic, no deformities (the foam did not melt from the heat of epoxy curing)

and the cured resin held the two parts pretty good, I could not pull them apart

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**mr fun** · 06-04-2022, 12:42 AM

why do you feel there is a need for this ?

**OnPad** · 06-04-2022, 02:08 AM

I use it to build model boats. The picture in my avatar has sponsons made with wood veneer glued to foam with 5 minute epoxy. Lightweight and has survived a bunch of 70+mph blowovers. It's strong in that application, but if you have any kind of large surface area, I doubt it would hold up very well.

**noli** · 06-04-2022, 05:06 AM

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Mr fun,

I will be cutting the console and I want to add strength

See post #2

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**JBS** · 06-04-2022, 06:39 AM

I'm following. Keep us updated.

**Chaz** · 06-04-2022, 08:56 AM

Tague is the guy to listen to ...

I don't like to do glass work .. because, I usually get more on me than I get on the job. Goes for paint too ..

However:

Core is just that. It goes between two sheets of glass mat. You already have the outer skin. I doubt you will need to use a saturated one inch thick foam block between it and the inner wall.
We still have a few big yacht builders in our area. A couple are Chaz friendly and let me do a little floor sweepin~dumpster divin ..

. I can usually find more than enough 1/4" balsa or 3/8" foam to do what I need.
For something that already has body lines or change in direction, (contours to the part) I think something like core mat would be your best bet. Cheap, strong and they will send it to your door.
It's not welding ... so what the heck do I know .. Maybe Tague will come back and give it the Popes blessing ..

https://fiberglasssupplydepot.com/Co....37-width.html

**Davidlake** · 06-04-2022, 10:55 AM

I have used that foam to fill-in the transom well on a restoration boat that I did. Worked very well.

**CUDA** · 06-04-2022, 11:17 AM

The strength comes from the fiberglass on the out side, glass shops usually have a big flat table with a sheet of aluminum or gloss Formica that's waxed appropriately ( let the wax fully dry before wiping off haze)
then coat with resin a layer of 12/08 or whatever you your using lay in the foam another layer of the type of glass your using, the best way is to cover with peel ply and hook up vacuum to get everything tight and smooth but not necessary for your application, you will have one smooth side after it's cured you can cut up to size needed, they sell pre cut rolls of glass to put together your cut sections, the foam is just a spacer, it's not like Coosa board used in transoms.