Submitted by keithmelville Tue, 2004-04-13 17:38
FOAMA lightweight, cellular plastic material containing gas-filled voids. Surfboard foams used by surfboard makers include polyurethane [most common], expanded polystyrene [EPS, aka Hydrofoam], extruded polystyrene [XPS, XTR], and Styrofoam [which is a brand name polystyrene]. Note: polyester resin is only compatible with polyurethane foam: it dissolves polystyrene foams, as it contains styrene monomer as a thinner. Epoxy resins are compatible with all commonly used surfboard foams. A shaper typically uses a planer to shape foam into the desired shape before glassing is performed.