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Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) vs Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)

Composite · grade comparison

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) and Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) are both composite grades. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) for Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10), about 43 times as much. Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 1.35 g/cm³ for Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)) and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is stiffer (70 GPa vs 0.17 GPa). On the shop floor, Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) machines more easily (very good vs fair) and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) (high, $$$$).

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) vs Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10): properties

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

70 GPa10.2 Msi
0.17 GPa0.02 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

130 MPa18.9 ksi
3 MPa0.44 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

100 MPa14.5 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

5%
—

Shear Modulus

—
0.05 GPa0.01 Msi

Compressive Strength

—
4 MPa0.56 ksi

Compressive Modulus

—
0.17 GPa0.02 Msi

Shear Strength

—
2 MPa0.25 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

—
275°C527 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.4 W/m·K0.23 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.06 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24 µm/m·K13.3 µin/in·°F
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

80°C176 °F
180°C356 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-55°C-67 °F

Specific Heat Capacity

—
1,300 J/kg·K0.31 BTU/lb·°F

Limiting Oxygen Index

—
30%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

—
200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

—
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
1.1

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.005

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
85 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

90 / 100
30 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

80 / 100
45 / 100

Weldability

5 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
—

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

—
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

—
14 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

—
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

96 kN·m/kg
63 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

51.9 MN·m/kg
3.6 MN·m/kg

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every composite grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

1101001,000510Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionPE Core—
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
PaintingYes—

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) vs Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) — frequently asked

Is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) stronger than Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?

Yes. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) for Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) — about 43 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) or Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) or Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM). Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (45/100) for Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) and Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.