Structural Foam for chassis stiffening

There is no doubt that structural foam works in the correct environment. That environment includes applications, chemicals, equipment and possibly curing ovens for curing that many of us don't have access too.

The papers don't mention specifically what chemicals or what blowing agents are being used, and how those chemicals are being applied, controlled and cured. Many of the tradenames are likely highly proprietary and not available for purchase without license.

I mentioned the cost aspect of this as well. I know many of these chemicals are quite expensive and they are not sold by the pint at the hardware store. You might even need a hazardous use permit to obtain them. Isocyanate is not something I would consider benign. How would you apply them and what is the cost of the equipment?

The papers do mention the long term effectiveness of the testing needs to be confirmed. Not sure that I would want to subject my little coupe to those rigors.

Just how strong does your car need to be? There are 8 second Barracudas and Darts that don't have the foam - at least I don't think they do. Autocross isn't my scene, but I don't know those guys use it either - or how much it would benefit them.

If strength and weight savings are your goal - there are more effective ways to achieve that on an A Body with more efficiency.

When I hear about foam in a car, I think of an amphicar. Although if someone wants to lend me their new Challenger or Ram truck, I will happily return it at the end of summer.
:steering: