Selecting a blank to shape...

Hi All,

Looking at making my first board…although planning on making a windsurf board, not a surf board. I am planning on making something in epoxy using, using carbon re-enforcement (biax, and a carbon/kevlar twill). I am pretty experienced with composites, having repaired sailing dinghies to insurance standards professionally for a while, and pretty familar with using a vac pump etc…

Anyhow, I am trying to work out what to use for a blank to shape out of. I found a guide on the SP Systems site before they binned, it recommending using Styrofoam for a blank…but could I ask more experienced people if this would be suitable:

http://www.jewson.co.uk/building-materials/thermal-insulation/extruded-polystyrene-insulation/products/ICX2IL40/yelofoam-x2i-extruded-polystyrene-3000-x-600-x-40mm/

I am trying to source something local to use and they are literally about 3 miles away from where I live. I have tried searching the subject but couldn’t find much in the way of resuls.

Anyhow, thanks in advance,

Mark.

…hello; first surfboards have not too much in common with a windsurf board. Those are small vessels.
Second; you are looking for a blank, in the past Clark foam from USA, so not 3 miles from your home (seems that you are in UK?), had couple of plugs.
Then you mention those 3 miles…so I wonder what type of material do you think that you would find near your house?!!
Then you mention styrofoam like a possibility; well that s the main material used.
What other material do you think about it?
I never heard of any other material than PS or PU…

from the link, it would be interesting to know its density kg/m^3.

YELOFOAM X2i

A zero ODP, high performance extruded polystyrene manufactured to the highest possible specification. It has a closed-cell structure, high resistance to compression, very low water absorption & excellent life-long thermal performance.
Type: Thermal insulation
Brand: YELOfoam
Compression Strength: 250 kPa
Material: Extruded polystyrene
Moisture Resistant: Yes
Height: 40.0 mm
Width: 600.0 mm
Length: 3000.0 mm