Molded Foam Parts?

[BulBob]

I am trying to start a fishing lure business and need help with material selection and machinery.

The body of the lure requires a molded soft closed cell foam.

 

[Compositepro]

Most soft fishing lures are made from flexible PVC. This can be foamed but I'm not aware of foamed lures as most lures must sink.

 

[BulBob]

I am trying to make top water lures and they need a density of .35g/cc to function.

 

[Demon3]

Try contacting Michael Reedy at Reedy International. He's an expert in polymer foaming.

Chris

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[Compositepro]

It would be better to mold-in hollow cavities to lower density. Foam has much lower durability than solid. Hollow flexible PVC parts can be roto- or slush molded.

 

[ornerynorsk]

You could check out vinyl dipped foam. Think floating keychain for boaters.

You can also check out polyurethane integral skinned molding. It's not something you would want to get into doing yourself, at least not right away. (expense, epa regs, etc) You could also look at expanded polystyrene bead molding. This can easily be done at the hobby level with a modest investment.

I couldn't tell you what the densities of these materials are right off hand, but I'm sure google can help out in that regard.

Compositepro's suggestion of foamed plastisol (pvc) would also be a good one to check out.

Good Luck.

 

[unclesyd]

Here several suppliers of plastic foams that you may want to look at.

http://www.cmtmaterials.com/

http://www.generalplastics.com/products/index.php

http://www.udccorp.com/

What ever happened to balsa wood and cedar?

How are you going to hold the hooks on the lure?

 

[BulBob]

The problem I am running into is mixing and metering such small amounts that no company does it.

I have sent emails to over 30 companies and none can do it.

I have many suggestion for materials but nobody will quote making them.