Our Chemistry
At HomeBlown US we wanted to use a foam system that was based on MDI
(methylene di-phenyl di-isocyanate) rather than TDI (toluene
di-isocyanate). This decision was based on the world’s increasing
concern regarding both the short and long term health hazards of
isocyanates in general and TDI in particular.
MDI is by far the least hazardous of the commonly available
isocyanates, since its vapor pressure is some 2500 times less than TDI at
ambient temperatures. This fact makes handling, storage and
utilization of the chemical much safer, while TDI is now classified as
toxic and considered carcinogenic in many areas. By using MDI, we
are confident that we are much less likely to cause health problems either
to ourselves or to people in the immediate neighborhood. The main
disadvantage of MDI is that it is considerably more expensive than TDI
adding 50% to our raw material costs. This we feel is a small price
to pay for a clear conscience. We hope that our customers will feel
the same. If they don’t, the only blank production available to them
will be in other countries where health and safety policies are less
rigorously pursued. Basically there’s no way to justify the impact a
surfboard has on the environment. The whole process has to move on,
therefore we embrace technology and apply it to all the blank making
processes. Our chemical engineering has cell size reduced to the
point where our foam is the finest when studied under a microscope, and
the strength to weight ratio has improved even more. Our blanks are now
10% lighter while remaining 15-25% stronger in compression than any other
blank we have had the opportunity to test.
Our Manufacturing
Most blank manufacturers worldwide still pour the mix into molds by
hand from a bucket. This inevitably leads to waste, both from residual
materials left in the bucket and contributes to the likelihood of
variations in each pour which causes uneven foam quality.
The HomeBlown US system relies on a computer controlled pouring machine
that ensures foam is delivered precisely in the right amounts to each part
of the mold. The result is astonishing consistency in production
with minimum waste of materials.
