In message , Christopher M.
Jones writes
"Henry Spencer" wrote:
In article ,
Brian Gaff wrote:
I'm still a bit confused what the properties of cork are that make it the
ideal substance for this job?

It's light, it's a good insulator, it chars gradually and predictably, it
takes adhesives well, and not least, it's cheap. You could undoubtedly
make a synthetic substitute, but why bother?

Cheap by aerospace spending standards. I note that there
is an artificial cork replacement as a bottle stopper and
it is gaining in use because of the difficulties of
obtaining sufficient amounts of the natural stuff at
reasonable prices.

I'm not sure it's a problem of supply so much as the problem of
"corking", which makes wine taste foul. Natural cork is something to be
encouraged - it's very environmentally friendly, being a renewable
resource which is the basis for a whole ecosystem.
Fifteen days and counting :-)
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