Don't know if I should have post this question in the Bodywork & Exterior section instead, but here is it:

Anyone ever thought about using solid PUR panels for bulkhead, floor etc.? I had a PUR plate in my hands the other day, it was surprisingly light and has enough stiffness to provide some sound damping.

Maybe PUR will not withstand heat very well, or it may not be oil/fuel resistant?

Que?

Is PUR a British notation for Polyurethane?

Company I'm currently indentured to produces moulded polyurethane, we've also just started marketing a line of fibre reinforced polyurethane foam structural panels -- used for bulkheads in racing yachts and the transoms of high powered outboard motorboats -- very light, very tough, moderately heat resistant (~180 degrees).

When I first saw it I was thinking monocoque bulkheads -- not sure about the viability of this (cost vs. weight vs. conventional alternatives) but as I learn more about it I'll share info.

Only vaguely related but I also saw that McLaren used a composite sandwich of thin ali sheet and balsa wood back in the 60's that was very strong for its weight. Might be able to replicate this quite easily with cabinetry techniques.

Cheers, Ted

[Edited on 7/7/04 by andkilde]

Ted, I posted almost the same question on another forum, over there someone replied that there is a huge amount of types of Polyurethane, with very different properties.

What is the type you're company is using for the structural panels? I assume the foam doesn't take up water, since you use it in boats? How do you attach te panels to the hull?

It's brand new to me so I've a fair bit to learn about it. From what I gather the panels are either fiberglassed in or mechanically fastened in alloy extrusions. It's a closed cell foam and as such does not absorb moisture.

The polyurethane we manufacture in house is the solid form. Available from very soft (bit firmer than Jello) to quite hard (like Nylon). As a rule it's not used structurally and it's probably a bit heavy to use in monocoque construction (also very pricey compared with Ally). Can be very abrasion resistant and tough though, it's used for the mudflaps on WRC cars and such.

Cheers, Ted