Looking for olde fashionede reinforcing sheet material

In message , jkn writes

Can't help, but I know exactly what you mean. Was also used to close off the spare wheel well in Morris Travellers, and, I think, as rear parcel shelf in some cars. Maybe a classic car forum if no-one here comes up trumps (which is unlikely).

I think these were probably fabric reinforced with a resin, possibly phenolic (not sure if there are flexible phenolic resins). These days, relatively simple thermoplastics (pvc, abs, polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene) can be made much stronger and tougher than they used to be by combinations of plasticiser, filler, and other tricks, so they tend to be used instead because they can be moulded to shape (think "plastic" suitcases).

The old material was relatively water resistant, important for rucksacks and cycle panniers. Your hardboard covered with duct tape would be a poor substitute.

You can buy plastic sheet in many thicknesses and materials via eBay, but it tends to be expensive.

If you told us what your application was then we might be able to help more. I would be thinking of whether there might be an existing product which could be canibalised.

As a near equivalent, although it is relatively rigid, "buffalo board" is (sort of) plywood impregnated with phenolic resin which makes it very tough, water resistant, and rot proof: good for making floors of horse trailers or lorries. Tufnol is fabric reinforced phenolic resin; rigid, strong, machinable, expensive.

Nor me. How about cannibalising an old suitcase?

I googled *elephant hide trim* and got hits for Land rover door panels.

I took out the parcel shelf of my (new to me) 61 plate car this evening, and it was basically a plastic composite, fake carpet moulded on to a plastic backing.

You can get "roof lining" materials for caravans / boats in reasonably large sheets, flexible enough to curve in one dimension. You might try googling for these.

Rather thinner at 2.3mm, but might millboard do?

I also recall a thinner, tougher material, similar to the stuff used for fibre plumbing washers. Vellumoid? Or a similar gasket material?

I wonder whether the old stuff contained asbestos?

Yes before Plastic took over many old tv backs were made of a kind of compressed substance covered with a stippled looking black materiel. We used to get it in sheets, a machine then chomped out the shapes and printed the legends, and then it was folded and rivetted with plastic rivets to fit the back. It was very tough and hard to burn or melt. I should remember what it was called but I just cannot get it to come. It was a trade name though so whether its still made or not I don't know. Plastic mouldings took over after that. Brian

I remember it as "elephant board", probably because it looked like elephant skin, by google doesn't help.

Plant pots from a few decades ago, before plastic became ubiquitous, were described as being made of 'whalehide'. This was a thick heavy-duty paper or thin card, impregnated with some sort of black tar-like substance to make them waterproof. Also described as a parchmentised wet strength kraft paper. IIRC they were supposed to be bio-degradable. Possibly still available, although where the original sheet material come from, I don't know.

Elephantide (all one word) is actually produced primarily as insulation board.

Chris

In message , jkn writes

I suspect you mean Vulcanised Cardboard. I still have small suitcases from my schooldays made from it. Marvellous stuff. It came in black and various shades of brown.

I googled and ebayed, but the only reference to it seems to be from a company in Singapore.

Hi All, thanks for the replies

yes, old TV backs especially, and parcel shelves of a similar vintage, were made of the sort of stuff I am thinking of. 'Elephant board' sounds like a perfect name for it, a pity that doesn't throw up anything on searches.

As for use, it's pretty much as I described - for incorporating into some custom bags I have in mind (for personal use, not for production or anything). The modern plastic-based versions I have seen are nowhere near as good in my experience - they are either too flexible, or too brittle.

I'll have a hunt the next time I'm near a scrappys for a parcel shelf of a suitable vintage. If the name for the stuff comes to mind I'd still like to know ;-).

Cheers J^n

Hi Bill

Yes, I think you are right - after a bit more looking I just came back to post that old suitcases made of this seem to be my best bet.

I also came across 'econoline fibre', used as a cheaper material for eg. Drum flight cases. But I can only find that in the made-up flight cases.

Looks like car boot sales might be my best bet ... shame. Thanks for the info anyway.

Cheers J^n

I remember that. let me see if I can remember where it came from

Nope. couldn't find it. BUT it is a standard packaging material.

That stuff is great, but not used as packaging, AFAICT - more for its other properties; electrical insulation, ability to be machined, etc. etc. It costs a fortune!

My Dad used to have loads of it from his job at British Leyland ;-) ... sadly I only have a few scraps left.

J^n

Make your own from papier mache.

Bill

Except that I do not think this material has the properties I describe.

J^n