readiescards Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Are there any alternative uses for PIR rigid foam? I got way more than this photo shows and don't really want to land fill it. Other than jamming it in little gaps as a secondary insulation I'm at a lost what to do with it. Is it fire-proof? Is it heat proof? Can I carve it and cover in clay ? Can I use it for moulds? Does hot glue stick to it or melt it? Does it give off fumes when hot/burning? Is it petrol resistance? Can I use it for polishing? Can I grind it up and use it to fill small gaps? Can I mix it into cement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Stick it on freecycle. I got a car full of offcuts like that and used them to insulate under the floor of our static caravan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Ebay, I bet it'll go. http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kingspan-Offcuts-90mm-thick-/192091018250?hash=item2cb984540a%3Ag%3ASBQAAOSwAvJW8zKA&_trkparms=pageci%3A12a013d1-ea51-11e6-a675-74dbd180ae0b%7Cparentrq%3A05b56e1315a0a5e295e3e638ff9f3a99%7Ciid%3A1 Failing that stick together with low expansion foam to make a big useful sheet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I did see somewhere that a chap converts off cuts into poly beads ( I think he used a garden shredder?). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 On 03/02/2017 at 20:48, joe90 said: I did see somewhere that a chap converts off cuts into poly beads ( I think he used a garden shredder?). Expand Wasn't that EPS? PIR gives off nasty, itchy, eye watery, fumey.....nastiness as far as I'm concerned. The Devil's own stuff! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiehamy Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Twas I! I've not actually tried any PiR, just XPS will do tmrw if I get a chance! It does chop xps into flakes but think PiR would yield better results. In the end tho, I gave up and tossed it in a skip we needed any way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crofter Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Useful as fairing boards for sanding down things like car bodywork, boat hulls etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 (edited) I made an insulated cat box for use in the shed. We also used it for padding at the bottom of garden planters, or insulating the sides thereof. F Edited February 4, 2017 by Ferdinand 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Following on from the insulated cat box theme how about a carefully crafted, well insulated take away boxes? Useful for when you have to drive some distance to grab a pizza etc. Of course, depending where in the world you live take away CAT may be on the menu! (Pretty sure there was a special edition Ford Fiesta years ago with a built in gimmick/feature for keeping food warm!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryder72 Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Is it feasible for use to sound proof internal walls instead of rockwool? Or to wedge between joists to reduce noise transmission? I would still probably use rockwool between studs where I have services running down (cables etc) but I was considering using left overs elsewhere. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 I think Rockwool is better for sound deadening? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADLIan Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Polyurethane & polystyrene foams have no acoustic properties. Must be mineral wool, glas or rock. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crofter Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 On 04/02/2017 at 13:44, ADLIan said: Polyurethane & polystyrene foams have no acoustic properties. Must be mineral wool, glas or rock. Expand Wish somebody had told that to the people I used to work for, who had converted a music studio and used sheets of Celotex to block up the windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpd Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 So far i have made an insulated dog kennel and a few weeks ago i made a very elaborate hot composting box, this was a lot of work as the insulation must remain dry from both inside steam and moisture and outside elements. It was all worth the effort as now in the middle of winter i have a very effective composting system, when i open the lid there is a great waft if hot steamy air.... very satisfying. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 On 04/02/2017 at 17:06, Cpd said: So far i have made an insulated dog kennel and a few weeks ago i made a very elaborate hot composting box, this was a lot of work as the insulation must remain dry from both inside steam and moisture and outside elements. It was all worth the effort as now in the middle of winter i have a very effective composting system, when i open the lid there is a great waft if hot steamy air.... very satisfying. Expand And are you tapping into this heat source? Jean Pain is the King of compost heating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpd Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Not at this time, after i finish various other projects i will be looking into a much bigger system built within a large polly tunnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashburyselfbuild Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 A friend of mine is building a large model railway layout and used loads of the off cuts to build scenery. He said it was easy to sculpt the hills that he then covered with plaster of paris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 On 05/02/2017 at 18:53, Ashburyselfbuild said: A friend of mine is building a large model railway layout and used loads of the off cuts to build scenery. He said it was easy to sculpt the hills that he then covered with plaster of paris. Expand Bet he was chuffed..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readiescards Posted February 5, 2017 Author Share Posted February 5, 2017 On 05/02/2017 at 18:53, Ashburyselfbuild said: A friend of mine is building a large model railway layout and used loads of the off cuts to build scenery. He said it was easy to sculpt the hills that he then covered with plaster of paris. Expand Best idea so far! Tried hot wire cutting it today, okish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 On 05/02/2017 at 20:06, readiescards said: Best idea so far! Tried hot wire cutting it today, okish Expand Did you make the hot wire cutter yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readiescards Posted February 5, 2017 Author Share Posted February 5, 2017 Nope my 11 year old nephew used his hobby hot wire cutter - it was slow and painful he said but not too bad result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADLIan Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 While since I worked in pur foam industry but I'm sure the gases generated by HW cutting are pretty nasty. Perhaps ok if well vented room and on a small scale. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 On 05/02/2017 at 22:03, ADLIan said: While since I worked in pur foam industry but I'm sure the gases generated by HW cutting are pretty nasty. Perhaps ok if well vented room and on a small scale. Expand Just don't do it. I worked with this stuff 30 years ago and the risks where known about then. Have you thought of secondary insulation around a thermal store/DHW cylinder. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 I DREAD it when I've cut a bit of PIR to go between joists. "Shaving" the edge is ten times worse than the initial cut. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readiescards Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Today I used the left over foam for: * making a box around the generator earthing rod - prior to the garage concrete floor pour * making a box to prevent the Icynene spray foam going where the LPG boiler flue will go * sittng on it to eating my lunch off * stacking tons of bits - ready for when I come up with the brainwave what to do with this stuff I also tried setting fire to it: https://goo.gl/photos/ruuUZczYPTikMfsi7 Was quite impressed how it withstood a gas torch - not particularly recommended though as certainly some fumes were given off 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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