cutting board as backing plate material?

[johnnyandjebus]

Ok before I get started I realize this may sound like a hair brained idea, with that said;

I was reading up on a product called star board
King StarBoard

It got me thinking is there any reason that a "plastic" cutting board could not be used as backing plate material?
I guess what I am wondering is what are forces applied to backing plates?
I understand that they are used to spread load over a wider area but from a load bearing stand point why not use cutting board material?

Feel free to slap me around for suggesting such a bone head idea, curiosity is going to kill me one of these days

John

p.s I know nothing about star board, have never seen or used it , it just reminds me of the cutting board on my kitchen counter.

[mitiempo]

Backing plate for what? One for a cutter stay or a syanchion requires more strength than one for hardware with less load.
Won't rot like plywood but I favor aluminum or fiberglass backing plates. Or G10.

[Mark1948]

I have used it for a broader base for my through hulls. It has worked fine. No compression load but no rot either.

[pdqaltair]

Poor choice, though folks do it.

The trouble is that the PE will creep over time (a cutting board will quickly warp if a significant weight is placed on it), giving you far less support than you think you have, unless you go VERY thick. Prelaminated FRP is probably best, followed by SS (difficult to work) and aluminum (can corrode is wet).

Wood is respected by many; just not my choice.

[CapnBilll]

I've used 3/4" Black PVC as a backing plate for things like a through bolt for mounting brackets. It works very well and lasts forever if not exposed to sunlight. Stronger than PE and more resistant to creep. I've seen starboard used as a backing plate for an outboard bracket, after a few years it cracked.

[nigglesworth]

what about starboard? I just finished drilling out my new thru-hulls and am moving on to backing plates tomorrow. Not sure i have the patience to make backing plates out of fiberglass... so its wood, or starboard if people think that may work?

[chef2sail]

Cutting boards not made of wood are generally thin and warp easily with repated use and heat. Try and put one flat on your counter after you have had it more than 1 year and notice its bowed in some way.

Also they tend to "creep". Thats why Chefs usually put a damp cloth under them when they use them repeatedly

Dave

[mitiempo]

Best backing for through hulls is G10 or fiberglass, epoxied to the hull where it adds a great deal of strength in an area that couls use it. Starboard is just a washer as nothing sticks well to it, including sealant.

[DonScribner]

Cutting boards are usually HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene). If you are interested in using a plastic, use UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight polyethylene). It's more expensive but still affordable in the sizes that you would require. We shim skylights weighing many tons with the stuff. It is available, among other places, at McMasterCarr.com

[Baywind]

I got a used SS sheet that was a toe kick off a door at a building for free. I cut it with my grinder and then sand the edges smooth and corners round. It is tough to drill the holes but it is strong and looks good.