Surfboard Foam
Surfboard Foam
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 1960s Hansen 50 50 Surfboard Surfing Foam Mounted 85X11 Surfing Ad Photo Print  US $15.00
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 1960s Gordie Sweet Surfboard Surfing Foam Mounted 85X11 Surfing Ad Photo Print US $15.00
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At the middle of every surfboard is some sort of foam, that is known in the industry as a blank. Foam surf board blanks will determine many things about a surf board, including its final shape, final size, how well it floats, and how well it will perform.
There are many different types of blanks, about as many as there are surfboard design possibilities. Foam blanks start at about 5'8' in length and go up from there, while widths can range from roughly 18" to 25". Why the huge range? Well, it is pretty important that the shaper select a surf board blank that is pretty close in length and width to the final surfboard. Otherwise if too much of the original foam blank is removed the foam core will not be strong enough for its intended purpose.
Surfboard blanks can be made from a couple of different types of foam. There are polyurethane foam blanks, also known as PU, and there are EPS foam blanks.
*PU Blanks have been in use since the 1960's and are the traditional choice. However, when the main supplier of this type of foam, the Clark factory, shut down in 2005, surf board makers were forced to consider other options. PU blanks are combined with polyester resins and fiberglass to make what is often known as a fiberglass surfboard.
*EPS blanks were already in existence before the Clark factory closed, but with a shortage of PU foam looming on the horizon, the surfing industry had to utilise the foam that was easier to access. EPS blanks are one of 2 types of foam surfboard blanks that are used in the making of epoxy surfboards. The polyester resins that are used in the making of a fiberglass board cannot be used with polystyrene blanks, as the chemicals are not compatible and the polystyrene will disintegrate. EPS foam is also called beaded foam or open cell foam. This sort of foam is not water repellent, but since the epoxy coatings are virtually indestructible, it is considered by many to be a bit of a moot point. EPS blanks are used with epoxy resins to make, you guessed it, epoxy surfboards. By the way, EPS stands for expanded polystyrene.
*Extruded Foam Surfboard Blanks. This mouthful gets shortened to XTR. Extruded foam surfboard blanks are also used to make epoxy surfboards. XTR blanks are a water repellent closed cell foam that is very strong. This type of surfboard will not yellow over the years. Shaping surfboard foam blanks. There are a few different techniques for cutting, known as shaping in the surf industry, the surfboard blanks. These are hand shaping, machine shaping, otherwise known as CNC, and pop outs.
*Custom or hand shaping, is the most costly method, and allows for extremely fine details. This is the traditional method of shaping, using a human hand, and results in what is called a custom surfboard.
*CNC, machine shaped, or computer numerical controlled shaping, uses computer technology and a computer guided machine, to cut the foam surfboard blank.
*Pop outs are manufactured by using molds that are shaped to the surfboard design. EPS foam is injected into the mold which is then wrapped and sandwiched to pop out a surf board. Pop outs are the least expensive way to shape a board.
Conclusion
In the middle of every surfboard is a foam surfboard blank, without which there would be no surfboard to float. The different types of surfboard blanks will determine whether the final product is a fiberglass or epoxy surfboard.
DEGR33 (Degree 33) Surfboards is a cutting edge surfboard company based out of San Diego, CA. We specialize in bringing high end surfboards to the public for entry level prices.
http://www.Degree33Surfboards.com
"Catch Every Wave You Go For!"
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Surfboard $4.49 Surfboard Patch Quality embroidered patch featuring a surfboard. Size is approximate. |
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Surfboard Couple $34.99 Surfboard Couple - Stand Up |
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Surfboard Rentals $59.99 Surfboard Rentals - Wood Sign |
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Girl with Surfboard $19.99 Girl with Surfboard - Premium Poster |
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Duke with Surfboard $49.99 Duke with Surfboard - Framed Art Print |
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Surfboard Riding $174.99 Surfboard Riding - Framed Giclee Print |
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Tractor Surfboard $14.99 Sam Maxwell Tractor Surfboard - Art Print |
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Man with surfboard $19.99 Tomas Rodriguez Man with surfboard - Photographic Print |
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Yellow Car with Surfboard on Top $10 Yellow Car with Surfboard on Top |
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SB5101 SURFBOARD CABLE MODEM $59.99 SB5101 SURFBOARD CABLE MODEM |
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Sexy Surfer Carrying Surfboard $6 Sexy Surfer Carrying Surfboard |
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Motorola Surfboard SB6100 SB6100I $184.95 Motorola Surfboard SB6100 SB6100I |
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VW- Kombi Surfboard $6.99 VW- Kombi Surfboard - Poster |
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VW BEETLE - With Surfboard $6.99 VW BEETLE - With Surfboard - Poster |