Materials
Aluminum Honeycomb Core
Highest strength-to-weight, fully conductive
Highest strength-to-weight, fully conductive
Expanded aluminium foil, typically alloy 3003 for general structural work and the stronger, more corrosion-resistant 5052 for marine and aerospace. Aluminium cores give the best shear and compressive strength per unit density of any material we stock and are the reference every other core is measured against. Cell size (3.2–19 mm), foil gauge and density are selected together to tune stiffness, weight and cost for the panel. Supplied as expanded blocks, unexpanded slices or cut-to-size sheets.
- Density
- 16 – 130 kg/m³ (1.0 – 8.1 pcf)
- Service temp
- to ~175 °C (3003 / 5052)
Strengths
- Best shear and compressive strength per unit weight
- High thermal conductivity — usable as a heat path
- Conductive, so it shields rather than passes RF
- Lowest cost per unit of structural performance
- 5052 adds marine-grade corrosion resistance over 3003
Watch for
- Galvanic corrosion risk when bonded to carbon-fibre skins
- Cells trap condensate without adequate venting
- Opaque to RF — unsuitable beneath an antenna aperture
Typical applications
Architectural and transport panelsAircraft floors, bulkheads and control surfacesHeat exchangers and flow straightenersEnergy-absorbing crash structures
Built to order
We quote aluminum core to your specification. Tell us the panel and load case and we'll come back with grades and pricing.
Request a quote