I’m just starting the build of a fast 4 oared rowing boat, she is to be built in foam sandwich construction. I need to link the inner & outer skins in some highly loaded areas & the ideal core material would appear to be Airex PXW, unfortunately my supplier tells me though they can get me small samples they cannot supply it in the UK as its USA only.
Any ideas on similar product? but must be available in the UK!
How thick was the foam you were going to use? Look into flax fiber if you feel like experimenting a little, check out: www.lineo.eu I’ve had some experience using it as a core/ reinforcement in some skate and snow products with positive results.
Looking for 6mm & 10mm thickness. Seems that the Airex PXw is a direct replacement for wood cores and can be used in hand layup. There are other similar products such as 3M’s RTM core thats a polyprop core stiched with glass. Seems most of the alternatives are intended for Vacumn systems.
Look for Structiso.
PCx core indeed is USA only, or order a container full…
If the areas are really small you could stitch a fiber through some lightweight core yourself.
Another option could be Soric.
Balsa might be strong enough as well.
Why use a core material? foam core construction without vacuum, never had grat results with that anyway, but for you the most simple would seem to cut away the core at those high stress points, and go to single skin. ad a few layers of fibre and you’ll have a strong point.