Aluminium Honeycomb Core

Industrial Aluminum Honeycomb Cores for Sandwich Composites and Industrial Applications

 

Aluminum honeycomb core is a lightweight structural material. It is made by bonding layers of aluminum foil along parallel node lines, then expanding the block into a hexagonal grid. It provides high strength-to-weight ratios, uniform shear strength, and rigid stability.

 

Supplied in unexpanded blocks, expanded slices, or micro-perforated formats, this core material is used in aluminum composite panels, transit interiors, energy absorbers, and air flow straighteners.

 

 
  • Mirror Finish Aluminum Honeycomb Ceiling Panel
    High reflectivity: ≥85% (silver mirror); ≥75% (colored mirror) — optical-grade mirror surface.
    Perfect flatness: aluminum honeycomb core eliminates waviness — distortion-free reflection from...
    read more
  • Inorganic Pre-Coated Decorative Panel
    Class A1/A2 fire-rated (non-combustible): calcium silicate base does not ignite or release toxic smoke.
    100% waterproof & moisture proof: no swelling, warping, or mold in wet...
    read more
  • Aluminum Honeycomb Core
    Ultra-lightweight: density as low as 20 kg/m³ — 95%+ air by volume.
    Exceptional strength-to-weight: flatwise compressive strength up to 5.0+ MPa depending on density.
    Class A...
    read more
  • Aluminum Honeycomb Core Material
    Product Name: Aluminum Honeycomb Core — Factory Direct Supply
    Brand: JUSEN
    Material Grade: Aerospace Grade 3003H18 Aluminum Alloy Foil (High-Strength, Corrosion-Resistant, ISO...
    read more
  • Expanded Aluminum Honeycomb Core
    Alloy Grades: 3003-H18 (standard), 5052-H18 (marine/corrosion), 5056-H18 (aerospace)
    Foil Thickness: 0.04 (40 μm), 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.10 mm (100 μm)
    Cell Size (Inscribed Circle...
    read more
  • Aluminum Honeycomb
    Product Name: Aluminum Honeycomb
    Material: Aluminum
    Fire Resistant Level: A1
    Weight: 3 - 12 kg/m²
    USE: Architectural curtain walls, cladding panels, interior partitions,...
    read more
  • Aluminium Core
    Raw Material: 3003 / 5052 aluminum foil, with good corrosion resistance and bonding performance
    Cell Shape: Regular hexagonal honeycomb structure
    Temperature Resistance: Applicable...
    read more
  • Aluminum Honeycomb Material
    Product Name: Aluminum Honeycomb Composite
    Thinckness: 5-50mm
    Material: Carbon fiber, Aluminum
    Density: 20-80KG/Square Meter
    Use: Aircraft & Automobiles & Vessels &...
    read more
  • Carbon Fiber Aluminum Honeycomb
    Product Name: Carbon Fiber Aluminum Honeycomb
    Material : CFRP, aluminum
    Fire Resistant Level: A2
    Weight: 1.76 - 3.52kg/m²
    USE: Aircraft Interiors, Satellite Structures,...
    read more
 
Mirror Finish Aluminum Honeycomb Ceiling Panel

 

Product Categories

Commercial Grade Core (3003-H18 Alloy): Standard core for architectural cladding, ceiling systems, and commercial partitions. Offers good strength at a low cost.

 

High-Strength Marine and Rail Grade Core (5052-H18 Alloy): Higher tensile strength and salt-water corrosion resistance. Used in train interiors, marine bulkheads, and impact absorbers.

 

Micro-Perforated Core: Features small mechanical pinholes in the foil walls. Allows air to move between cells to prevent air bubbles during vacuum curing or hot pressing.

 

Unexpanded Block Form: Shipped as compact, unexpanded solid blocks. Reduces overseas freight volume by up to 85% for high-volume sandwich panel factories.

 

Expanded Cut Slices: Cut precisely to specified thickness and expanded at the factory. Ready for direct lamination into composite panels.

Materials and Technical Specifications

 

Cell Size:

Distance between two opposite parallel node walls. Standard sizes: 1/16 in, 1/8 in, 3/16 in, 1/4 in, 3/8 in, 1/2 in, 3/4 in.

01

Foil Thickness:

Nominal foil wall thickness: 0.03mm, 0.04mm, 0.05mm, 0.06mm, 0.08mm.

02

Slice Thickness (T-Dimension):

Height of the cell wall. Standard range: 2mm to 300mm (Tolerance: +/- 0.15mm).

03

L-Dimension:

Length along the node line direction.

04

W-Dimension:

Width perpendicular to the node lines.

05

Cell Size (Inches)

Nominal Foil Thickness (mm)

Core Density Range (kg/cu.m)

Nominal Compressive Strength (MPa)

1/8 in (3.2mm)

0.04mm

80 - 95

4.2 - 5.0

3/16 in (4.8mm)

0.04mm, 0.05mm

50 - 70

2.5 - 3.8

1/4 in (6.35mm)

0.05mm, 0.06mm

32 - 48

1.8 - 2.6

3/8 in (9.52mm)

0.05mm, 0.08mm

22 - 35

1.0 - 1.8

 

Applications
 
 
 

Sandwich Panel Manufacturing:

Acts as the inner core between aluminum, FRP, or steel sheets in building facades, cleanroom walls, and train interior modules.

 
 

Energy Absorption Components:

High-density 5052 cores absorb kinetic energy through progressive cell buckling. Used in bumper crash blocks, elevator safety buffers, and drop-test barriers.

 
 

Air and Light Direction Control:

Open hexagonal cells turn turbulent airflow into smooth, parallel airflow in wind tunnels, HVAC vents, and cleanroom hoods.

 
 

Laser Cutting and CNC Beds:

Expanded aluminum slices serve as flat, disposable support beds for laser cutting equipment, minimizing laser beam bounce-back.

 

 

 

OEM and Custom Processing Options

We provide custom slicing, perforation, and block sizing to match your composite production line.
[ Step 1: Unexpanded Block ]
|
[ Step 2: CNC Slice Cutting ]
|
[ Step 3: Foil Perforation ]
|
[ Step 4: Expansion or Direct Block Packing ]

 

Factory Processing Options
Custom Slice Thickness: Precision horizontal band-saw cutting delivers slice heights from 2mm to 300mm with tolerances within +/- 0.15mm.

Node Line Micro-Perforations: Microscopic pinholes (0.1mm to 0.5mm) in the foil walls allow air pressure equalization during heated panel lamination.

Custom Node Glue: High-temperature epoxy node glue that withstands up to 180 deg C baking cycles during powder coating processes.

Inorganic Pre-Coated Decorative Panel

 

Inorganic Pre-Coated Decorative Panel

 

Quality Control and Testing

Every batch of raw foil rolls, node line glue bonds, and cut slices undergoes strict testing before shipment.
[ Raw Foil ] --> Test Tensile Strength and Foil Thickness
|
[ Node Printing ] --> Check Node Line Spacing and Glue Weight
|
[ Block Curing ] --> Test Node Glue Bond Shear Strength (ASTM C273)
|
[ Slice Cutting ] --> Measure Thickness Tolerance with Laser Gauge

 

Quality Check

Test Method / Standard

Acceptance Criteria

Node Shear Strength

ASTM C273 Shear Test

>= 1.5 MPa (Foil tears before glue line fails)

Thickness Tolerance

Laser Gauge Check

Deviation <= +/- 0.15mm across the slice

Foil Thickness

Digital Micrometer

Within +/- 0.002mm of target specification

Cell Uniformity

Visual Check

No crushed cells or broken node glue lines

Density Check

Weight / Volume Calculation

Within +/- 5% of target density specification

 

 

Packaging and Delivery

We use strong protective packaging to prevent cell deformation, edge damage, and moisture build-up during long-distance transit.
Unexpanded: [ Plastic Wrap ] --> [ Corner Protectors ] --> [ Wooden Box ]
Expanded: [ Cardboard Tray ] -> [ Plastic Bag ] -------> [ Reinforced Frame ]

 

Unexpanded Blocks: Wrapped in moisture-proof polyethylene film and packed flat inside solid fumigated wooden boxes (ISPM-15 standard). This saves shipping space in ocean containers.

Expanded Slices: Stacked horizontally on rigid cardboard trays with corner foam protectors, sealed in plastic bags, and boxed in wooden crates to avoid cell damage.

Container Space Optimization: Crate dimensions are matched to 20GP and 40HQ ocean containers to eliminate unused space and prevent cargo movement.

Aluminum Honeycomb Core Material

 

 

FAQ

 

 

Q: What is the difference between 3003-H18 and 5052-H18 aluminum core alloys?

A: 3003-H18 is an aluminum-manganese alloy with good flexibility and moderate mechanical strength. It is the standard core choice for architectural panels, ceilings, and general industrial uses. 5052-H18 is an aluminum-magnesium alloy offering higher compressive strength and better resistance to salt water. It is recommended for marine bulkheads, train floors, and military impact absorbers.

Q: Why should buyers order unexpanded blocks instead of expanded core slices?

A: Unexpanded blocks take up about 1/15th of the shipping volume compared to expanded slices. Ordering unexpanded blocks significantly lowers ocean freight and warehouse storage costs. Panel factories with expansion tables can expand the blocks on-site as needed.

Q: What is the purpose of micro-perforations in the core foil?

A: Micro-perforations are tiny pinholes punched into the aluminum foil during core manufacturing. During hot pressing or vacuum bag lamination, trapped air inside sealed cells can cause panel surface bubbling. Micro-perforations allow air and gas to move freely between cells, ensuring uniform bonding pressure.

Q: What thickness tolerances can be achieved on cut core slices?

A: Using precision horizontal slicing machines, we maintain a slice thickness tolerance of +/- 0.15mm. This tight tolerance prevents core pattern lines from showing through thin panel skins and ensures even adhesive contact during pressing.

Q: How do you test the bond strength of the node line glue?

A: Node line glue strength is tested using the ASTM C273 plate shear test method. A good glue bond forces the aluminum foil itself to tear during the test rather than letting the glue line separate. We also run thermal cycle tests to verify node bond stability up to 175 deg C.

Q: Can aluminum honeycomb cores be used to direct air or light?

A: Yes. Expanded core slices act as straight directional channels. When air or light passes through the hexagonal cells, turbulent flow is converted into smooth parallel flow. They are widely used as air straighteners in wind tunnels, HVAC vents, cleanroom hoods, and lighting louvers.

We're well-known as one of the leading aluminium honeycomb core manufacturers and suppliers in China, also support custom service. Please feel free to wholesale high quality aluminium honeycomb core made in China here from our factory. For more information, contact us now.

Aluminum Honeycomb Composite, Aluminum Honeycomb Material, Aluminium Honeycomb Structure