End-Grain Balsa Core
also 4088, Baltek
End-Grain Balsa Core is a natural end-grain balsa wood sandwich core to AMS 4088 (Baltek), supplied as blocks and scrim-backed contour-cut sheet in SB.50, SB.100, SB.150, SBC and perforated (PERF) grades.
Reference datasheet — End-Grain Balsa 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 SB.100 condition
End-Grain Balsa Core grades and fills
End-Grain Balsa Core is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. SB.100 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low density end-grain balsa, ~96 kg/m³ | Lightest structural grade — pick for weight-critical decks, interior panels and non-highly-loaded blade panels. | 9 | 1.2 | ||
SB.100Default Standard density end-grain balsa, ~150 kg/m³ | The workhorse marine and wind-blade grade — best balance of compressive/shear capacity, resin uptake and cost. | 13 | 1.1 | ||
High density end-grain balsa, ~220 kg/m³ | Highest-density grade for hard points, keel/engine bearers, blade root inserts and locally crushed zones. | 20 | 1 |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways End-Grain Balsa 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 | Grooved / perforated infusion grade | Surface finish |
SBC | Contour-cut, scrim-backed flexible sheet | Surface finish |
What is End-Grain Balsa Core?
End-Grain Balsa Core is a natural end-grain balsa wood sandwich core to AMS 4088 (Baltek), supplied as blocks and scrim-backed contour-cut sheet in SB.50, SB.100, SB.150, SBC and perforated (PERF) grades. At its default density of 0.15 g/cm³ it gives 13.4 MPa tensile strength, a 4.1 GPa modulus and 0.055 W/m·K thermal conductivity, with high compressive strength-to-weight for marine and wind blade construction. It cuts easily but absorbs resin at the bond faces and rots if water reaches unsealed cells, so every cut edge and penetration must be sealed. PVC or PET foam core is the alternative where moisture exposure is likely. End-Grain Balsa Core has a density of 0.15 g/cm³ (0.0054 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of composite grades. End-Grain Balsa Core has a tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.94 ksi), weaker than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.1% and the elastic modulus is 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi).
What is End-Grain Balsa Core used for?
- boat hulls and decks
- wind turbine blade cores
- rail car floors
- aircraft interior panels
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 0.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of composite grades
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 97% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 0.15 g/cm³ (0.0054 lb/in³), better than 84% of composite grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 0.12 MPa·√m (0.109 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of composite grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 15/100, worse than 98% of composite grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 96% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 92% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.06 W/m·K (0.0318 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of composite grades
End-Grain Balsa Core properties
Typical room-temperature values for End-Grain Balsa Core-SB.100; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
End-Grain Balsa Core has a density of 0.15 g/cm³ (0.0054 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of composite grades.
Mechanical8
End-Grain Balsa Core has a tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.94 ksi), weaker than 84% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 1.1% and the elastic modulus is 4.1 GPa (0.595 Msi).
Thermal8
End-Grain Balsa Core is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 0.06 W/m·K (0.0318 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 4 µm/m·K (2.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
End-Grain Balsa Core has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 96% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of End-Grain Balsa Core takes about 12 MJ of energy and emits 0.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
End-Grain Balsa Core's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 97% 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. End-Grain Balsa Core is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with End-Grain Balsa Core
Is End-Grain Balsa Core easy to machine?
Cuts and routs effortlessly with sharp carbide tooling or knife; use vacuum hold-down and dust extraction, and avoid crushing the end-grain cells when clamping.
Can End-Grain Balsa Core be welded?
Not applicable — panels are joined by scarf/butt bonding with thickened epoxy or by scrim-backed block joints.
Can End-Grain Balsa Core be formed, bent or molded?
Flat blocks for single curvature; contour-cut scrim-backed sheet drapes over compound curves; wet-out and grooves must be planned because balsa absorbs 0.5–2 kg/m² of resin at the bond faces.
End-Grain Balsa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| cellulosestructural cell-wall polymer | 55 – 65 | 60 |
| hemicellulose | 15 – 25 | 20 |
| lignin | 12 – 20 | 15 |
| extractives + ash | 1 – 5 | 3 |
| moisture (as supplied, kiln dried)typically specified ≤12 % for core stock | 6 – 12 | 9 |
| adhesive (block edge-glue, PVA/urea) | 0.5 – 2 | 1 |
What surface finishes work on End-Grain Balsa Core?
Seal all cut edges, fastener holes and skin penetrations with neat/thickened epoxy — unsealed core wicks water and rots; no painting or plating of the core itself.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to End-Grain Balsa Core in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- 4088Baltek
How much does End-Grain Balsa Core cost?
End-Grain Balsa Core is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
End-Grain Balsa Core — frequently asked
What is End-Grain Balsa Core used for?
End-Grain Balsa Core is typically used for boat hulls and decks, wind turbine blade cores, rail car floors and aircraft interior panels. In short: highest compressive strength per weight; renewable natural core; must be fully sealed.
What is the tensile strength of End-Grain Balsa Core?
End-Grain Balsa Core has a typical tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.94 ksi) — weaker than 84% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is End-Grain Balsa Core easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 97% of composite grades). Cuts and routs effortlessly with sharp carbide tooling or knife; use vacuum hold-down and dust extraction, and avoid crushing the end-grain cells when clamping.
Can End-Grain Balsa Core be welded?
Not applicable — panels are joined by scarf/butt bonding with thickened epoxy or by scrim-backed block joints.
What surface finishes work on End-Grain Balsa Core?
Seal all cut edges, fastener holes and skin penetrations with neat/thickened epoxy — unsealed core wicks water and rots; no painting or plating of the core itself.
Can End-Grain Balsa Core be formed, bent or molded?
Flat blocks for single curvature; contour-cut scrim-backed sheet drapes over compound curves; wet-out and grooves must be planned because balsa absorbs 0.5–2 kg/m² of resin at the bond faces.
What is the maximum service temperature of End-Grain Balsa Core?
End-Grain Balsa Core is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F), and briefly to 163°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does End-Grain Balsa Core cost?
End-Grain Balsa Core is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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
- BALTEK SB / SBC end-grain balsa core data sheets — Airex AG / Gurit (2022)
- CoreLite / ProBalsa end-grain balsa core technical data — CoreLite Inc. / Grupo Rey (2021)
- ASTM C365 — Flatwise Compressive Properties of Sandwich Cores — ASTM (2016)
- ASTM C273 — Shear Properties of Sandwich Core Materials — ASTM (2020)
- Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material (FPL-GTR-282) — USDA Forest Products Laboratory (2021)
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.