Open Cell Thickness

[Stubbie]

Searching didn't yield any relevent results, sorry if I missed this answer elsewhere.

Was looking at buying some open-cell foam in bulk from a packing supply store, and I was wondering if you need 2" of padding does it matter HOW you get there?

IE: Layer 2 pieces of 1" foam to achieve 2" or does the single piece of 2" thick have an advantage in durabilty?

I don't know much about this foam , requesting a sample currently, but from the prices, a 1" thick roll has some fair savings over the 2"; assuming they are equal in useability.

[Baethor]

what exactly do you need the 2 inches of open cell for?

[Stubbie]

Just using 2" as an example. Basically asking if glueing thinner layers together was in any way better / worse than using 1 thicker piece of foam.

Although I did build a 2handed axe / hammer using layers of 1/2" camp pad, put 2" of Jo-Ann green on the striking surface so it wasn't a bone-breaker.

[Baethor]

depends on the type of open cell. Density always matters. On one hand i've used very dense (but not hard) open cell in 1" varietys for both padding and stabbing tips, but sometimes 2 inches of a not so dense one can work fine.

alternativly i've found foam coming through work used as packing material thats 1/8th of an inch thick, but when piled together into an inch thickness makes a very, VERY dense foam that is very squishy, i've considered testing it out on a stabbing tip

[Stubbie]

Oct 7, 2008 22:34:38 GMT -5 Baethor said:

alternativly i've found foam coming through work used as packing material thats 1/8th of an inch thick, but when piled together into an inch thickness makes a very, VERY dense foam that is very squishy, i've considered testing it out on a stabbing tip

So if I'm taking this correctly then layering foam up CAN give it differnt functional properties. I'll have to get some in and check it out then, to tell if layering wouild be better suited than a thicker piece.

But we would be using this foam for most all of our open cell applications...stabbing tips - striking surfaces - shields, etc...

[Baethor]

thickness is second only to density. sometimes a 1 inch piece of very dense foam can do a better job then 2 in of a not so dense foam.

[Stubbie]

Ah I c. Sorry for belatedly posting link, I just got the catalogue home this evening. This is the foam in quesiton:
www.uline.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?model=S-10017&root=&searchedkeywords=S-10017

Anyone messed with this before? Appreicate your help Baethor. Although on the foam density ... is that a hand felt judgement or a number generally available on all foams? If that dog sinks that much into the foam...kinda looks a bit too squishy to my nooberfied eyes.

[Baethor]

geez, i used to know how they measured foam density, lemme do some research and get back to you.

[Stubbie]

So digging around for foam information I came across this foam: www.foambymail.com/CharcoalFoam.html

It lists the density of the foam, I'm guessing it's measured in how much the foam weights per cubic foot?

So only question I got here is: is the "firm" stuff listed @ 1.6 density, a good number to be using for tower shields mainly. Also some javilin head creation and possible weapon edge material.

[Zebulon]

I think I read some thread that said you want it to be more around 2.0 dendity. and I think its per inch but not sure.