My next experimental build tech project for this summer is a cork deck skin over an XPS foam core, then cover with FG.
I feel confident that cork skins over XPS cores, under glass, are the path to a durable XPS surfcraft.
IMO Cork Skin advantages are:
* Impact absorbing
* Compressive strength greater than foam
* Low thermal conductivity
* Does not soak up water
* Increases surfcraft skin thickness without adding a lot of weight
* Lighter than composite cloth saturated with epoxy.
So I scoped out some retail suppliers of Cork sheet. Found it at Staples, Office Max and WidgetCo (photo below). (They have cork underlayment at HD and Lowes but min. thickness is 1/8" on longer rolls.)
As sheet thickness increases (2 mm, 3/32" and 1/8"), the particles and sheet surface become coarser. The 2 mm looks like it would be easiest to work with and will get a cleaner glassed surface (smoother surface). The 3/32" might be a better deck thickness though. I will use the 1/8" for a different project.
