Core Materials for Composites
Composite core materials serve as the central structural component in composite structures, providing stability, strength, and support while often contributing to the overall lightweight nature of the final product. These cores, typically made of materials like foam, honeycomb structures, or balsa wood, are sandwiched between layers of composite skins to form a composite panel. Their inherent properties—such as high strength-to-weight ratios, excellent insulation, and impact resistance—make them integral in various industries, including marine, aerospace, and construction, where weight reduction and structural integrity are paramount. The choice of core material plays a crucial role in determining the performance and characteristics of the composite structure.
Latest Core Articles
VIEW ALLAirbus video highlights RACER compound helicopter first flight
Launched as part of a Clean Sky 2 program, a compound design — rotor, split fixed-wing, propulsive propellers — uses composites to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 20%.
WatchHyWaSand demonstrates large-series production potential for automotive TP sandwich components
Storage compartment flap for truck interior produced via fully automated continuous fiber thermoplastic sandwich molding technology shows suitability for series manufacture.
Read MoreRock West delivers high-precision composite support tube for particle detection
Large carbon fiber and honeycomb core component, known as the barrel timing layer (BLT) tracker support tube, was delivered to Purdue as part of an upgrade to CERN’s general-purpose proton-proton collision detector for space research.
Read MoreUltra-light honeycomb blocks are engineered for application versatility
JEC World 2024: Schütz Composites introduces Cormaster, its line of aramid paper-based honeycomb materials suitable in many application fields as panels or parts.
Read MoreBio-based, fire-resistant composites become mainstream
Projects use Duplicor prepreg panels with highest Euroclass B fire performance without fire retardants for reduced weight, CO2 footprint in sustainable yet affordable roofs, high-rise façades and modular housing.
WatchComposites industry experts collaborate to address ISO 12215-5:2019 standard challenges
3A Composites Core Materials, STRUCTeam and Beneteau are working to rectify the shortcomings of core requirements of small marine craft in the 2019 framework, while exploring optimal design approaches with foam and balsa core materials.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
Closed mold processes offer many advantages over open molding. This knowledge center details the basics of closed mold methods and the products and tools essential to producing a part correctly.
LEARN MORECW’s editors are tracking the latest trends and developments in tooling, from the basics to new developments. This collection, presented by Composites One, features four recent CW stories that detail a range of tooling technologies, processes and materials.
LEARN MOREThis CW Tech Days event will explore the technologies, materials, and strategies that can help composites manufacturers become more sustainable.
LEARN MORELatest Core News And Updates
ATL Composites collaboration advances kite-foil board production for Paris Olympics
Breiana Whitehead, pioneering Australian kite-foil sailor, spearheads board design intricacies with ATL Composites to enhance her performance ahead of the July 2024 competition.
Read MoreArmacell improves rPET foam offerings with ArmaPET Struct GRX
Structural foam core entirely made from recycled plastic bottles imparts efficiency gains, cost optimization and a more sustainable outlook for sandwich structure production.
Read MoreChomarat expands range of composite reinforcement options
Rovicore FM core and C-Weave Stabilized woven fabrics are designed to improve the quality and performance of composite materials.
Read MoreARIS introduces polymer-free ceramic composite
Fireproof, lightweight ceramic material ALEC2 is highly sustainable, suitable for manufacturing a variety of aerospace products, as well as marine and other industries.
Read MoreBeSpline wins IBEX Innovation Award, announces partnership with Boston Boatworks for Shaped Foam Kits
CAD-driven fabrication uses adaptive mold technology for lighter, stronger, higher quality boat structures without time and cost of building a mold while drastically reducing core fitting time for yacht builders.
Read MoreHO Sports unveils Sabre water ski with bio-based foam core
New water ski developed in partnership with Checkerspot brings high-performance biomaterials to watersports, replacing petroleum-based materials with algae-derived core.
Read MoreFeatured Posts
Plant tour: BeSpline/Addcomp, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
Composites automation specialist increases access to next-gen technologies, including novel AFP systems and unique 3D parts using adaptive molds.
Read MoreDrag-based wind turbine design for higher energy capture
Claiming significantly higher power generation capacity than traditional blades, Xenecore aims to scale up its current monocoque, fan-shaped wind blades, made via compression molded carbon fiber/epoxy with I-beam ribs and microsphere structural foam.
Read MoreA new generation of PP foam core for lightweight truck trailers, RVs
Extruded PP (XPP) foam core offers lightweight, high-performance monomaterial panels that are easily recycled for truck flooring, sidewalls or cabinet/furnitureboards as the transportation industry seeks a replacement for plywood.
Read MoreOptimizing AFP for complex-cored CFRP fuselage
Automated process cuts emissions, waste and cost for lightweight RACER helicopter side shells.
WatchPrefabricated composite panels, joining system ease catamaran construction
New Zealand-based G&T Marine reduces assembly and construction time with ATL Composites’ composite DuFLEX panels.
Read MoreComposite buildings go monocoque
Superior protection from the elements plus fast, affordable installation and maintenance have quickly made Orenco Composites’ DuraFiber buildings an attractive choice for water and wastewater, communications, transportation and power industry outbuildings.
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