Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Insulation Types That Can Be Used Inside a Sub

I would also like to keep in mind that a number of styrofoam products out there have quite poor R value ratings. The blue foam panels that I use on foundations of homes maybe a decent product to look into for normal non hyperbaric subs. I usually use this product in two inch thickness, but it might come in a one inch thickness that may form nicely to the shape of a sub hull. The R value of this product is less then urethane foam but it's pretty cheap. The urethane foam that is in a can or sprayed on commercially doesn't have as much R value as the foil covered panels that you find in the hardware store. Reason being is not only the foil, but mostly because of the fiberglass in it. These panels also come in reasonably thin sheets for curvature forming. I worked for a company that sprayed urethane foam on concrete slab walls inside of cold storage units for apples and hops. With the urethane foam and the special doors the room could be sealed and the air replaced with CO2 and then cooled.

These products maybe able to withstand 2 atmospheres pressure with out damage but I would have to test it in the private hyperbaric chamber I have use of in California. When considering insulation options for higher hyperbaric pressures that would be needed for most SCUBA divers with the bends, I'll need something else. So far it looks like syntactic foam is the type of product that may work well.

My friend Doc is using syntactic foam in his new two seater Bionic Dolphin.

http://www.bionicdolphin.com

He's using Trelleborg Emerson & Cumming's Eccospheres Glass Microballoons Syntactic Foam Advantic?.

The Advantic is the one I'm looking at right now.

http://www.crgrp.net/syntactics.htm

Concerning using syntactic foam for insulation here is a link.

http://www.cumingcorp.com/insulation.php

Hey Frank

Maybe instead of grabbing some styrofoam I'll grab my teddy bear that's filled with syntactic foam good to 10,000 fsw or better. You could make they eyes of the bear out of flashing strobe lights and have an EPIRB in it's head. What do you think I would look like after I came up from 10,000 fsw? :)'

Brent

>From: irox

>Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org

>To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org

>Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Insulation Types That Can Be Used Inside a Sub

>Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:28:37 -0800 (GMT-08:00)

>One thing to remember with styrofoam is that when it's damaged it releases

>microscopic fibers which can become a resperation hazard, especially given

>that you are in a closed environment.

>Ian.

>-----Original Message-----

> >From: ShellyDalg@aol.com

> >Sent: Jan 15, 2007 10:35 AM

> >To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org

> >Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Insulation Types That Can Be Used Inside a Sub

> >

> >Hi Brent. Have you thought about styrofoam? Although it does compress at

> >high pressures, it will easily withstand 2 atm. and is very easy to replace

> >should it get damaged.

> >There are several coatings you can use to make it almost impervious, and

> >some ( such as a single layer of fiberglass resin and mat ) will add

> >substantially to its pressure crush factor.

> >Some good things include, its cheap to buy, easy to cut, resists mold, can

> >be acquired almost anywhere, can be cut to fit almost any shape, and did I

> >mention Cheap?

> >If you had to ditch, you could grab a few pieces, push them out of the sub,

> >and when you reach the surface, they'd be floating there for you to use while

> >you wait for the rescue boat.

> >Frank D.