Is EPS foam weaker than polyurethane foam?
– In compression and in tensile strength, sFoam is stronger than the most common weight of surfboard polyurethane foam. In shear tests, common weight polyurethane foam is slightly stronger. However, any composite engineer will tell you that the true test of strength in any given surfboard is its panel strength. Panel strength is a factor of the distance between the top and bottom laminations of the surfboard, how strong the laminations are; and, any webs ( stringers ) between the laminations. The strength of the foam has very little effect on surfboard strength. It should be noted that sFoam weighs 41 % less than the most common weight of surfboard polyurethane foams yet has slightly better pressure – ding resistance than urethane foams. In addition, epoxy laminations are stronger than equivalent laminations using styrene resins. Therefore, a surfboard made with a sFoam blank & epoxy resin will be stronger than a board made with polyurethane foam & styrene resin – all other factors bei
