Where to get this foam?

[bean]

The foam backing Tayda uses for sockets is absolutely perfect for the small number of ICs I send out with some projects. I've found other types but they are never quite the right size or thickness. Anyone have a recommendation on where to find this stuff? I use ESD bags so the foam itself doesn't need to be (those are too expensive anyway).

 

[Alan W]

Without digging some out to check, I’m pretty sure it’s a generic “ethyfoam.” I used to buy planks of it, and pretty sure they also sell it in sheet form, at U-line. That said, I stopped buying anything from U-line do to the owner’s politics. Here’s a link to some 1/4 inch sheeting from McMaster Carr. I’ll look through my suppliers lists to see if I had a specific replacement source. Very often, larger cities have suppliers that sell “insulation” foam, that will carry planks (and possibly sheets) of ethyfoam. So this should help refine your search.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Alan W]

Going to possibly correct myself—the ethyfoam definitely works, but it is semi rigid, and I’m thinking that the foam Tayda uses is rigid. I did a quick search, and am not coming up with sheets under 1/2 inch thick, for styrofoam (not “bead board”, which is also called styrofoam). The foam insulation distributors can often cut sheets to spec, or, given the sizes you want (am thinking 2 inches by?) you could buy a 2 inch thick plank, and slice strips at whatever thickness you want on a bandsaw (or get a friendly shop to do this for you). At 1/4 or 3/8 inch thick, any of these will be easy to knife cut into smaller pieces.

 

[Erik S]

Could this work? 3/16 is close on the thickness.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[bean]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will check the Carr McMaster stuff. I have a feeling the Tayda stuff is just bone-cheap thin Styrofoam/Polystyrene. Maybe I should also consider something sustainable like a cardboard substrate that is more easily degradable.

 

[HamishR]

Foam-core board might work too.

 

[Alan W]

Foam-core board might work too.

No, you need to be able to easily puncture the “skin” with DIP legs (or whatever) and foam core is maybe a bit too tough for that.

It is just a 1/4 inch thick slice of styrene (or other rigid polymer) foam. Finding sheets from distributors at 1/4 inch (1/2 inch was easy) didnt happen on some quick searches I did. There are eBay sources for boxes of 12 x12 inch sheets of 1/4 inch that weren’t too expensive.

 

[MichaelW]

Or you can be like Smallbear and AES and just toss loose IC's in a plastic non-electrostatic bag......

 

[manfesto]

Or you can be like Smallbear and AES and just toss loose IC's in a plastic non-electrostatic bag......

Nothing quite as much fun as getting a TL072 Rat King in the mail, unbending all the legs, and praying nothing broke while you test 'em all :/

 

[jwin615]

Brain, there's an assortment available on AliExpress. ESD badged and pretty dang cheap, though black
Like this

https://a.aliexpress.com/_msEKyf6

Sadly, nothing at first glance with 15 day shipping.

 

[Feral Feline]

What about 10-day shipping, or even overnight?



Sorry, can't help it. I see stuff posted and my brain just flips it, mangles it and ...





To the point of the topic though, I could use a bit more of this stuff, too. My supply of it from Tayda has about run out and I'm not even shipping out stuff like OPer Bean.

 

[Coda]

Or you can be like Smallbear and AES and just toss loose IC's in a plastic non-electrostatic bag......

Or that crazy guy around here that uses test tubes to ship IC’s…

 

[Barry]

Does it have to be rigid?

Anti Static Industrial Foam Rolls in Stock - ULINE

Uline stocks a wide selection of Uline Anti-Static Foam Rolls. Order by 6 p.m. for same day shipping. Huge Catalog! Over 42,000 products in stock. 13 Locations across USA, Canada and Mexico for fast delivery of Uline Anti-Static Foam Rolls.

www.uline.com

or

Polystyrene Sheets - 12 x 12 x 1/4

Economical sheets for short-term blocking and bracing. Water-resistant, high-density foam is rigid yet lightweight. Line boxes for added protection on fragile and temperature sensitive shipments.ULINE offers over 41,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and bubble wrap...

www.uline.com

 

[Nostradoomus]

50’ Roll of sill plate gasket is 10 bucks at Home Depot

 

[Robert]

I get my ESD foam from Foam Factory.

1/2" thickness, half a roll will probably last you a lifetime unless you're shipping a lot of ICs.

Anti-Static Polyethylene Foam - 1.7LB Pink

Check out the deal on Anti-Static Polyethylene Foam - 1.7LB Pink at Foam Factory, Inc.

www.foambymail.com

 

[bean]

Alan kindly hooked me up. Gave me enough to last for years! This place is great

 

[fig]

Brilliant

 

[Robert]

Brilliant

I was reported twice in one day, I'm on a roll.

 

[Alan W]

Alan kindly hooked me up. Gave me enough to last for years! This place is great

But that’s not specifically non-conductive, which you had said wasn’t critical for you.

 

[Bricksnbeatles]

I was reported twice four times in one day, I'm on a roll.