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Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) vs XPS Foam Core

Composite · grade comparison

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) and XPS Foam Core are both composite grades. Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 3 MPa (0.479 ksi) against 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi) for XPS Foam Core, about 8.2 times as much. XPS Foam Core is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49)) and Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) is stiffer (0.17 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, XPS Foam Core machines more easily (excellent vs fair) and XPS Foam Core sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) (high, $$$$).

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

XPS Foam CoreChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) vs XPS Foam Core: properties

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49)XPS Foam Core

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.17 GPa0.02 Msi
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.06 GPa0.01 Msi
0.01 GPa8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

3 MPa0.48 ksi
0.4 MPa0.06 ksi

Compressive Strength

3 MPa0.45 ksi
0.2 MPa0.03 ksi

Compressive Modulus

0.17 GPa0.02 Msi
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Shear Strength

2 MPa0.25 ksi
0.2 MPa0.03 ksi

Poisson's Ratio

—
0.3

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
0.36 MPa0.05 ksi

Elongation at Break

—
3%

Flexural Strength

—
0.35 MPa0.05 ksi

Flexural Modulus

—
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³
0.03 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Water Absorption (24 h)

1%
0.1%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

4%
0.5%

Glass Transition (Tg)

—
100°C212 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.06 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.03 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

177°C351 °F
75°C167 °F

Min Service Temperature

-73°C-99 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

30%
26%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

250°C482 °F
85°C185 °F

Specific Heat Capacity

—
1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

—
70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

1.1
1.05

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.003
—

Volume Resistivity

—
1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
90 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

25 / 100
20 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
88 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb
100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

20 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

0%
10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

69 kN·m/kg
13 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

3.6 MN·m/kg
0.4 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 scaleXPS Foam Core

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49)XPS Foam Core
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) vs XPS Foam Core — frequently asked

Is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) stronger than XPS Foam Core?

Yes. Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.479 ksi) against 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi) for XPS Foam Core — about 8.2 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) or XPS Foam Core?

XPS Foam Core is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) is high ($$$$). 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, Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) or XPS Foam Core?

XPS Foam Core. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against fair (40/100) for Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) and XPS Foam Core 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.