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Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0

Grade

also HRH-49

3/16-3.0 = hRH-49-3/16-3.0

Medium-density large-cell core: structural strength with reduced bondline weight.

High cost $$$$

Values for the 3/16-3.0 condition

Other Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) grades and fills

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49).

Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
HRH-49-1/4-1.5
Large-cell, low-density option for radomes and thick lightly loaded sandwich panels.—0.8——
HRH-49-1/8-1.5
Lightest common grade for lightly loaded fairings and interior panels where weight dominates.—0.9——
HRH-49-OX
Over-expanded cells for simple-curvature forming without core splicing; higher W-direction shear, lower L-direction.—1——
HRH-49-1/8-1.8
General lightweight structural core for secondary aircraft panels and sporting goods.—1——
HRH-49-3/16-2.0
Larger cell for lower resin/adhesive pickup and easier resin flow in wet-layup or radome builds.—1——
3/16-3.0This page
HRH-49-3/16-3.0
Medium-density large-cell core: structural strength with reduced bondline weight.—3——
1/8-3.0Default
HRH-49-1/8-3.0
Workhorse density: best balance of shear strength, skin support and weight for structural sandwich panels.—3——
HRH-49-1/8-4.5
High-density core for highly loaded joints, hard points and thin-skin panels needing crush resistance.—6——
HRH-49-1/8-6.0
Maximum-strength grade for localized load introduction, ramps and edge close-outs.—8——

What is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0?

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) in the 3/16-3.0 grade — medium-density large-cell core: structural strength with reduced bondline weight. Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.464 ksi), weaker than 88% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.17 GPa (0.0239 Msi). Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of composite grades. 1/8-3.0 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 3/16-3.0 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Lightweight — 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), better than 97% of composite grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 94% of composite grades

Limitations

  • Low stiffness — 0.17 GPa (0.0239 Msi), worse than 90% of composite grades
  • Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 86% of composite grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 0.06 W/m·K (0.0335 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of composite grades

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.

Physical3

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of composite grades.

Density0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³
Water Absorption (24 h)1%
Water Absorption (Saturation)4%

Mechanical6

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.464 ksi), weaker than 88% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.17 GPa (0.0239 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0.17 GPa0.02 Msi
Shear Modulus0.06 GPa0.01 Msi
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)3 MPa0.46 ksi
Compressive Strength3 MPa0.44 ksi
Compressive Modulus0.17 GPa0.02 Msi
Shear Strength2 MPa0.24 ksi

Thermal6

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 is rated for continuous service to 177°C (351 °F). It conducts heat at 0.06 W/m·K (0.0335 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of composite grades.

Thermal Conductivity0.06 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)177°C351 °F
Min Service Temperature-73°C-99 °F
Flammability (UL 94)V-0 equivalent; meets FAR 25.853 vertical burn / OSU heat release for interiors
Limiting Oxygen Index30%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)250°C482 °F

Electrical3

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)1.1
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.003

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 94% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.

Corrosion ResistanceExcellent92/100
UV / Weathering ResistancePoor25/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to fuels, hydraulic fluids, solvents and salt spray; attacked by strong acids/bases and degraded by prolonged UV exposure; phenolic coating limits hot-wet strength retention above ~150 °C.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 takes about 320 MJ of energy and emits 20 kg of CO₂ — more than 72% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)20 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability1

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 58% of composite grades).

MachinabilityFair42/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0

Is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) easy to machine?

Cut with sharp serrated/hot-knife blades, ultrasonic cutters or high-speed router with aramid-specific tools; aramid fuzzes badly with dull tools — support cells with foam or freeze/wax fill for contour milling.

Can Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) be welded?

Not weldable — joined by film adhesive splicing, foaming core splice adhesive, or potting compound at edges and inserts.

Can Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) be formed, bent or molded?

Standard hexagonal core forms only single curvature; use OX (over-expanded) cell or heat-formed/cut-and-splice blocks for compound curvature; co-cure or secondary bond with 120–180 °C epoxy film adhesive under 0.2–0.4 MPa autoclave pressure.

What surface finishes work on Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49)?

No coating applied to the core itself; edges must be sealed with potting compound or close-out to block moisture ingress, and the assembled panel is painted/primed on the skins only.

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Kevlar 49 aramid fabricpara-aramid woven scrim forming the cell walls55 – 7062
phenolic resindip-coated heat-cured resin providing stiffness and flame resistance≥ 30 (balance)—

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 — frequently asked

What is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 used for?

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 is typically used for structural aerospace panels, ballistic-resistant sandwich panels and high-performance sporting goods cores. In short: tougher than Nomex core; aerospace structural honeycomb; impact and moisture resistant.

What is the tensile strength of Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0?

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.464 ksi) — weaker than 88% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 58% of composite grades). Cut with sharp serrated/hot-knife blades, ultrasonic cutters or high-speed router with aramid-specific tools; aramid fuzzes badly with dull tools — support cells with foam or freeze/wax fill for contour milling.

Can Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 be welded?

Not weldable — joined by film adhesive splicing, foaming core splice adhesive, or potting compound at edges and inserts.

What surface finishes work on Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0?

No coating applied to the core itself; edges must be sealed with potting compound or close-out to block moisture ingress, and the assembled panel is painted/primed on the skins only.

Can Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 be formed, bent or molded?

Standard hexagonal core forms only single curvature; use OX (over-expanded) cell or heat-formed/cut-and-splice blocks for compound curvature; co-cure or secondary bond with 120–180 °C epoxy film adhesive under 0.2–0.4 MPa autoclave pressure.

What is the maximum service temperature of Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0?

Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) 3/16-3.0 is rated for continuous use to about 177°C (351 °F), and briefly to 250°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. HexWeb HRH-49 Aramid Fiber/Phenolic Honeycomb — product data — Hexcel (2020)
  2. HexWeb Honeycomb Attributes and Properties — Hexcel (2023)
  3. ASTM C365/C365M — Flatwise Compressive Properties of Sandwich Cores — ASTM (2022)
  4. ASTM C273/C273M — Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials — ASTM (2020)
  5. MIL-HDBK-23A, Structural Sandwich Composites — US DoD (1968)
  6. Kevlar Aramid Fiber Technical Guide — DuPont (2017)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.