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Is aerogel a legal material to use in box construction?

That should fall under commercially made insulation.

Only if it is sold as such, I would think - however, I would not be at all surprised if most supervisors were to consider it a foam. Plus, it costs about $50 a cubic inch.

Really dumb question. But I've noticed that the new rules doesn't really say anything about fastening materials. So does that mean we can't use nails and screws to make our devices? I don't think it does, but I'm not sure...

siciscio wrote:Really dumb question. But I've noticed that the new rules doesn't really say anything about fastening materials. So does that mean we can't use nails and screws to make our devices? I don't think it does, but I'm not sure...

Well, you can use anything this year, except for the specifically prohibited items. So unless you are using nails made out of styrofoam, they should be fine. Also, you still can't use expanding glues because they can become foams.

There have been a couple of posts by people like chalker that say if it is not addressed and does not violate the spirit of the rules, it is OK.

Flavorflav wrote:Only if it is sold as such, I would think - however, I would not be at all surprised if most supervisors were to consider it a foam. Plus, it costs about $50 a cubic inch.

What is the exact definition of "foam"?? Wikipedia defines a foam as "a substance that is formed by trapping pockets of gas in a liquid or solid". Wouldn't that qualify corrugated cardboard as a foam?

No, because corrugated is formed flat, then bent into the corrugated shape and glued.

siciscio wrote:Really dumb question. But I've noticed that the new rules doesn't really say anything about fastening materials. So does that mean we can't use nails and screws to make our devices? I don't think it does, but I'm not sure...

On the C div rules, the new wording for 2013 is that you can use anything except foam, bubblewrap and commercial insulation. So have at it with your fasteners.

Oh... Ok. I get it now. Thanks retired1 and The Architect (now gets to work on device)