Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX (HRH-49-OX)
Grade
also HRH-49
Over-expanded cells for simple-curvature forming without core splicing; higher W-direction shear, lower L-direction.
Values for the OX 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | 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 | — | — |
OXThis page 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 | — | — |
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) OX?
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) in the OX grade — over-expanded cells for simple-curvature forming without core splicing; higher W-direction shear, lower L-direction. Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX has a tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi), weaker than 95% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.07 GPa (0.0102 Msi). Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of composite grades. 1/8-3.0 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; OX is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), better than 98% of composite grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 94% of composite grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 0.07 GPa (0.0102 Msi), worse than 93% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.026 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of composite grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 86% of composite grades
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX properties
Typical room-temperature values for Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX; 12 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) OX has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of composite grades.
Mechanical6
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX has a tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi), weaker than 95% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.07 GPa (0.0102 Msi).
Thermal6
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX is rated for continuous service to 177°C (351 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.026 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of composite grades.
Electrical3
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 94% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX takes about 320 MJ of energy and emits 20 kg of CO₂ — more than 72% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 50% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Kevlar 49 aramid fabricpara-aramid woven scrim forming the cell walls | 55 – 70 | 62 |
| phenolic resindip-coated heat-cured resin providing stiffness and flame resistance | ≥ 30 (balance) | — |
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX — frequently asked
What is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX used for?
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX 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) OX?
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX has a typical tensile strength of 1 MPa (0.145 ksi) — weaker than 95% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 50% 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) OX 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) OX?
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) OX 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) OX?
Aramid Fiber Honeycomb (HRH-49) OX 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
- HexWeb HRH-49 Aramid Fiber/Phenolic Honeycomb — product data — Hexcel (2020)
- HexWeb Honeycomb Attributes and Properties — Hexcel (2023)
- ASTM C365/C365M — Flatwise Compressive Properties of Sandwich Cores — ASTM (2022)
- ASTM C273/C273M — Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials — ASTM (2020)
- MIL-HDBK-23A, Structural Sandwich Composites — US DoD (1968)
- 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.