Aluminum Honeycomb Core (CR III)

Aluminum honeycomb has the best strength-to-weight ratio of the core materials in the FAA list. Hexcel CR III 5052 at 3.1 lb/ft³ shows 285 psi bare compressive strength; a Nomex core of 3.0 lb/ft³ shows 300.

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Honeycomb sandwich construction
Core spaces the face sheets. FAA-H-8083-31B, Fig. 7-17

HexWeb CR III 5052, 1/8 in cell, typical values

Where to buy
Density, lb/ft³Bare compressive, psiPlate shear L, psiPlate shear W, psi
3.1285210130
4.5550340220
6.1980560340
8.11,500800470

Hexcel CR III data sheet, Table I, typical (typ) values; a minimum-average column also exists. Columns read from the table in the sheet. 5052 and 5056 are supplied in H-39 temper; density tolerance ±10%.

Designation and coating

The designation is Material – Cell size – Alloy – Density, for example CR-III – 3/16 – 5052 – 3.1N: cell size 3/16 in, alloy 5052, density 3.1 lb/ft³, N for unperforated cell walls. CR III is the corrosion-resistant coating, meeting MIL-C-7438 where applicable.

Hexcel reports shear strength after 350 °F heat ageing for up to 500 hours plus 30 days of salt spray at about 88% of room-temperature properties with no salt spray.

What the FAA says about it

Aluminum: best strength-to-weight ratio and energy absorption, good heat transfer and electromagnetic shielding, smooth thin cell walls, machinable and relatively low cost (FAA-H-8083-31B, p. 7-11).

Aluminum facings and cores need their own isolation from carbon facings; see repair materials.

Limits — when NOT to use this

  • One alloy family and cell size shown.
  • Typical values. Minimum values are lower.
  • Comparison with Nomex mixes two manufacturers’ sheets.

Where to buy

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Sources

Educational reference only. not approved data. Always consult the applicable SRM, AMM, or AC 43.13-1B and your certifying authority.
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