Closed cell foam

I filled a few void spaces on my boat with the stuff a while back. Got it online and it comes in two containers which you must mix together. Seems ok five years later. Not soggy or anything. Can't recall where I got it. A Google search will help.
 
I believe there is not one available to the public. Closed cell foams I have been involved with were industrial, using MDI, which can be very nasty stuff. The foams available to us are TDI, still not pleasant but safer than MDI. My experience is from some years ago, so I might be out of date here. However, I filled quite a lot of canoes with TDI foam bought from Strand Glass. Within a year I had to dig it all out as it was waterlogged.

CFS say 'It should always be protected by a GRP skin because, although closed cell and water-proof when set. It will absorb water when crushed.' http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/2-Part-Polyurethane-Foam-Liquid-2kg-pack-N2PSTD_002.html#SID=415
 
vyv_cox said:
I believe there is not one available to the public. Closed cell foams I have been involved with were industrial, using MDI, which can be very nasty stuff. The foams available to us are TDI, still not pleasant but safer than MDI. My experience is from some years ago, so I might be out of date here. However, I filled quite a lot of canoes with TDI foam bought from Strand Glass. Within a year I had to dig it all out as it was waterlogged.

CFS say 'It should always be protected by a GRP skin because, although closed cell and water-proof when set. It will absorb water when crushed.' http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/2-Part-Polyurethane-Foam-Liquid-2kg-pack-N2PSTD_002.html#SID=415
Click to expand...

TDI foams are not the main manufactured foam in the developed world. MDI foams are still made. TDI is a great deal more hazardous than MDI. The foams once made are safe and relatively inert if manufactured properly like virtually all car seating. PU foam is normally not water resistant and can absorb surprising amounts of it. One can displace the water by using oil like diesel fuel. Polyethylene foam can be acquired closed cell that is water resistant. Try an on-line auction site.
 
vyv_cox said:
I believe there is not one available to the public. Closed cell foams I have been involved with were industrial, using MDI, which can be very nasty stuff. The foams available to us are TDI, still not pleasant but safer than MDI. My experience is from some years ago, so I might be out of date here. However, I filled quite a lot of canoes with TDI foam bought from Strand Glass. Within a year I had to dig it all out as it was waterlogged.

CFS say 'It should always be protected by a GRP skin because, although closed cell and water-proof when set. It will absorb water when crushed.' http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/2-Part-Polyurethane-Foam-Liquid-2kg-pack-N2PSTD_002.html#SID=415
Click to expand...

That brings back memories of the work I was involved in at Shell Research in Egham in the early 1970's. I was working on TDI based open cell flexible foams although other in the same lab were working with MDI based rigid foams. The most interesting work to me seemed to be the work being done on integral skin flexible foams .... fascinating stuff.

Anyway, surely the stuff you can buy in an aerosol from builders merchants is rigid, closed cell foam? I've used it for several cavity-filling type jobs over the years.

Richard
 
RichardS said:
That brings back memories of the work I was involved in at Shell Research in Egham in the early 1970's. I was working on TDI based open cell flexible foams although other in the same lab were working with MDI based rigid foams. The most interesting work to me seemed to be the work being done on integral skin flexible foams .... fascinating stuff.

Anyway, surely the stuff you can buy in an aerosol from builders merchants is rigid, closed cell foam? I've used it for several cavity-filling type jobs over the years.

Richard
Click to expand...

No...the builders foam is open cell-and is really a big sponge.
 
ganter said:
Shoot an email at this chap - Roger Taylor. He's done both of his offshore boats with close cell. I'm sure he'll be happy give you a course to steer to the supplier he used.
http://www.thesimplesailor.com
Click to expand...

Roger Taylor just used low cost closed cell material like Celotex, cut to shape to fit his fore cabin and stern areas, then boxed it in. In the books I read by him I am not sure he was looking at longevity and it all could easily be removed and replaced. What he wanted was reserve buoyancy, at low cost and easy to do, that would keep the boat afloat if it was seriously holed.

Fisherman could take sheets / offcuts of Celotex, cut and shape them to fill the space, wrap the whole lot in heat shrink plastic if the space allowed and then secure in place. Or if space did not allow seal the sections in place. From time to time he could remove the stuff and inspect it. That would be more in keeping what Roger Taylor did.
 
What I want is to renovate my old 11 ft dinghy, install underdeck ply bulkheads and runners either side of the keel, ply deck on top and GRP over leaving the centre for a bilge. If left the spaces will fill, they always do, and foam will support the deck. I want not to have any extra weight hence need for waterproof fill. I may just have to put drainers in and no foam.
 
I've got a couple of large rectangular closed cell foam fenders. You could buy a few of these and cut them up to fit.

Mine sit with their bottom few inches in the water 24/7, and remain not waterlogged after several years.
 
ganter said:
Cool. Your post count suggests you probably don't find much time for sailing.
Fair Winds.
Click to expand...

Why are you being snidey, there is no need for it, it's just contributions to a thread. My post count is irreverent to my sailing time and your comments suggests that you don't understand how forums work.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Why are you being snidey, there is no need for it, it's just contributions to a thread. My post count is irreverent to my sailing time and your comments suggests that you don't understand how forums work.
Click to expand...

Certainly not meant that way. Apologies if any offence taken.
I was admiring your post count. That is a lot of contribution to the forums!
I'm in the middle of Roger's "Mingming and the art of minimal ocean sailing". He closed-celled his Coribee to such an extant that he has little room to inhabit himself but seems wonderfully happy and organised there.
Fair winds!
 
i once made the mistake of cutting an access panel in the cockpit floor which I then failed to seal. I had to install a bilge pump instead, and added a spray closed cell foam to form a sump for the pump in the shallow bilge.
It was a terrible mistake, the rancid smell from the soggy "closed" cells forced me to rip it all out.
 
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