Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) vs XPS Foam Core
Composite · grade comparison
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) and XPS Foam Core are both composite grades. Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) against 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi) for XPS Foam Core, about 7.5 times as much. XPS Foam Core is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)) and Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) 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, $$) than Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) (high, $$$$).
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)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.
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) vs XPS Foam Core: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all composite grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all composite grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)XPS Foam Core
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) | XPS Foam Core |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) vs XPS Foam Core — frequently asked
Is Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) stronger than XPS Foam Core?
Yes. Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) against 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi) for XPS Foam Core — about 7.5 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) or XPS Foam Core?
XPS Foam Core 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, Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) or XPS Foam Core?
XPS Foam Core. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against fair (45/100) for Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) 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.