Aramid honeycomb

A core material formed from thin walls arranged into an array of hexagonal or similar cells, used on edge between face sheets so the cell walls carry compression and shear. It offers very high stiffness and strength for its weight, with common types made from aluminium foil, resin-coated aramid paper and thermoplastics.

Honeycomb core made from thin aluminium foil expanded or corrugated into cells, giving high stiffness and strength at very low weight together with predictable crush behaviour. It is used in aerospace structures, transport flooring and architectural panels, and its controlled collapse also makes it useful as an energy absorber.

A synthetic fibre spun from aromatic polyamide, best known in its para-aramid form. It combines high tensile strength and toughness with excellent impact and abrasion resistance, though it is sensitive to ultraviolet light, absorbs moisture and is notoriously difficult to cut and machine. It is widely used in ballistic protection, ropes and hybrid composite laminates.

A thermosetting resin made from phenol and formaldehyde, notable for excellent fire performance with low smoke and toxic gas emission. It is used for composite panels in aircraft and rail interiors, decorative and industrial laminates, foundry binders and adhesives where fire, smoke and toxicity requirements govern material choice.

A foaming structural adhesive, commonly epoxy based and supplied as a film or paste, used to join sections of honeycomb or foam core edge to edge and to fill gaps between core and edge members. On heating it expands to fill the joint before curing, restoring load transfer across the splice.