Cork Composite Core
also Corecork
Cork Composite Core (Corecork) is an agglomerated natural cork core supplied as NL10, NL20 and NL25 grades plus perforated, flame-retardant and crush-resistant versions.
Reference datasheet — Cork Composite Core is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the NL20 condition
Cork Composite Core grades and fills
Cork Composite Core is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. NL20 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low-density cork core | Lightest grade for weight-critical, lightly loaded sandwich skins and damping layers. | 0.45 | 12 | 25 Shore A | |
Fire-retardant treated core for rail/marine interiors | Binder/additive package tuned for EN 45545-2 HL2–HL3 and IMO low smoke/toxicity interior panels. | 0.75 | 9 | 38 Shore A | |
NL20Default Standard-density cork core | General-purpose marine/rail sandwich core balancing damping, strength and resin uptake. | 0.8 | |||
High-density cork core | Choose where higher core shear/compression is needed, e.g. hardpoints, decks and fastener zones. | 1 | 9 | 45 Shore A | |
Cold rolled | Denser rubber-bonded cork for gaskets, anti-vibration pads and machinery mounts rather than lightweight sandwich cores. | 2 | 18 | 22 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Cork Composite Core is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
PERF | Perforated / grooved sheet for vacuum infusion | Surface finish |
What is Cork Composite Core?
Cork Composite Core (Corecork) is an agglomerated natural cork core supplied as NL10, NL20 and NL25 grades plus perforated, flame-retardant and crush-resistant versions. The default grade has 0.19 g/cm³ density, 0.8 MPa tensile strength, 0.02 GPa elastic modulus, 0.05 W/m·K conductivity, 120 °C maximum service temperature and a machinability score of 90. Engineers choose it for vibration damping, fire resistance and sustainability in marine and rail sandwich panels, and it drapes over curved moulds without heating. Stiffness and strength are low next to PVC foam or honeycomb, and untreated cork absorbs resin and moisture. Cork Composite Core has a density of 0.19 g/cm³ (0.0069 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of composite grades. Cork Composite Core has a tensile strength of 0.8 MPa (0.116 ksi), weaker than 96% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0029 Msi).
What is Cork Composite Core used for?
- boat deck cores
- acoustic/vibration-damping panels
- rail interior panels
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 0.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 100% of composite grades
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 94% of composite grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 10%, better than 92% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 0.19 g/cm³ (0.0069 lb/in³), better than 84% of composite grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 0.02 GPa (0.0029 Msi), worse than 97% of composite grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 6%, worse than 97% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 78% of composite grades
Cork Composite Core properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cork Composite Core-NL20; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical3
Cork Composite Core has a density of 0.19 g/cm³ (0.0069 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of composite grades.
Mechanical9
Cork Composite Core has a tensile strength of 0.8 MPa (0.116 ksi), weaker than 96% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0029 Msi).
Thermal8
Cork Composite Core is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 50 µm/m·K (27.8 µin/in·°F).
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Cork Composite Core takes about 6 MJ of energy and emits 0.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 100% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability1
Cork Composite Core's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 94% of composite grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. Cork Composite Core is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Cork Composite Core
Is Cork Composite Core easy to machine?
Cuts easily with sharp knives, band saw, router or CNC; use vacuum extraction for dust and avoid crushing edges with dull tools.
Can Cork Composite Core be welded?
Not weldable — panels are joined by adhesive bonding, scarf joints or resin fillets between core blocks.
Can Cork Composite Core be formed, bent or molded?
Flexible enough to conform to single- and mild double-curvature molds cold; hot-forming above ~90 °C improves drape, and perforated/grooved sheets are used for vacuum infusion.
Cork Composite Core 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cork granulate (Quercus suber)expanded/agglomerated granules, by-product of cork stopper production | 82 – 95 | 90 |
| polyurethane binderMDI-based PU; rubber (NBR/SBR) binder in cork–rubber grades | 5 – 18 | 10 |
What surface finishes work on Cork Composite Core?
Skins bond directly with epoxy, vinylester or polyester; seal or prime exposed faces since untreated cork absorbs resin/moisture and darkens under UV.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Cork Composite Core in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Corecork
How much does Cork Composite Core cost?
Cork Composite Core is a premium-cost composite ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Cork Composite Core — frequently asked
What is Cork Composite Core used for?
Cork Composite Core is typically used for boat deck cores, acoustic/vibration-damping panels and rail interior panels. In short: best-damping natural core; drapes cold to curvature; low stiffness versus foam cores.
What is the tensile strength of Cork Composite Core?
Cork Composite Core has a typical tensile strength of 0.8 MPa (0.116 ksi) — weaker than 96% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Cork Composite Core easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 94% of composite grades). Cuts easily with sharp knives, band saw, router or CNC; use vacuum extraction for dust and avoid crushing edges with dull tools.
Can Cork Composite Core be welded?
Not weldable — panels are joined by adhesive bonding, scarf joints or resin fillets between core blocks.
What surface finishes work on Cork Composite Core?
Skins bond directly with epoxy, vinylester or polyester; seal or prime exposed faces since untreated cork absorbs resin/moisture and darkens under UV.
Can Cork Composite Core be formed, bent or molded?
Flexible enough to conform to single- and mild double-curvature molds cold; hot-forming above ~90 °C improves drape, and perforated/grooved sheets are used for vacuum infusion.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cork Composite Core?
Cork Composite Core is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Cork Composite Core cost?
Cork Composite Core is a premium-cost composite ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- CoreCork NL series technical datasheet — Amorim Cork Composites (2023)
- ASTM C273 Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM D1621 Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics — ASTM (2016)
- EN 45545-2 Railway applications — Fire behaviour of materials — CEN (2020)
- Cellular Solids: Structure and Properties (cork chapter) — Cambridge University Press (1997)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.