Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex
Grade
also Nomex Honeycomb
Flex = flex-Core
Use when the core must form a compound (double) curvature without cell buckling; slightly lower shear per unit density.
Values for the Flex condition
Other Nomex Honeycomb Core grades and fills
Nomex Honeycomb Core is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at Nomex Honeycomb Core.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.8 pcf / 29 kg/m³ | Lightest common grade for lightly loaded cabin interior panels and non-structural fairings. | — | 1 | — | — |
2.0 pcf / 32 kg/m³ | Standard interior-panel core: best weight/stiffness trade for galleys, sidewalls and lightweight floors. | — | 1 | — | — |
FlexThis page Flex-Core | Use when the core must form a compound (double) curvature without cell buckling; slightly lower shear per unit density. | — | 2 | — | — |
Over-expanded cell | Over-expanded rectangular cells drape into single-curvature panels and raise W-direction shear at the cost of L-direction shear. | — | 2 | — | — |
HRH-327 type | Pick when service exceeds the ~180 °C phenolic limit or when very low outgassing/FST performance is specified. | — | 2 | — | — |
48kgm3Default 3.0 pcf / 48 kg/m³ | The default aerospace/marine sandwich core — good shear strength at low weight, widely stocked in 1/8 in and 3/16 in cell. | — | 3 | — | — |
4.0 pcf / 64 kg/m³ | Higher-load core for cargo floors, fittings zones and areas needing better crush resistance under bonding pressure. | — | 4 | — | — |
6.0 pcf / 96 kg/m³ | Choose where local crush, high shear or fastener bearing loads dominate (ramps, engine nacelle acoustic panels). | — | 7 | — | — |
8.0 pcf / 128 kg/m³ | Maximum-strength Nomex core for heavily loaded inserts, edge close-outs and ballistic/impact zones. | — | 12 | — | — |
What is Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex?
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex is Nomex Honeycomb Core in the Flex grade — use when the core must form a compound (double) curvature without cell buckling; slightly lower shear per unit density. Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex has a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.305 ksi), weaker than 92% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.11 GPa (0.016 Msi). Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of composite grades. 48kgm3 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Flex is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), better than 97% of composite grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 0.11 GPa (0.016 Msi), worse than 91% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of composite grades
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Nomex Honeycomb Core reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical2
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of composite grades.
Mechanical6
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex has a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.305 ksi), weaker than 92% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.11 GPa (0.016 Msi).
Thermal7
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.05 W/m·K (0.0289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 87% of composite grades.
Electrical4
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 77% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 16 kg of CO₂ — more than 68% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex
Is Nomex Honeycomb Core easy to machine?
Cut with sharp band knife, hot-wire-free rotary blade, waterjet (dry cells must be dried) or CNC router with vacuum/ice/potting support; avoid crushing cells and deburr fuzz before bonding.
Can Nomex Honeycomb Core be welded?
Not weldable — cores are joined by film adhesive splicing, foaming adhesive edge splices or potting compound at inserts.
Can Nomex Honeycomb Core be formed, bent or molded?
Standard hex core takes single curvature only; use OX or Flex-Core for tighter/compound curves, and heat-form or pre-crush cores before co-curing skins.
What surface finishes work on Nomex Honeycomb Core?
Edges and fastener zones are potted with epoxy syntactic; cores must be kept dry (bagged, dried before bonding) since absorbed moisture blows the bondline during cure.
Nomex Honeycomb 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 |
|---|---|---|
| meta-aramid paper (poly-m-phenylene isopNomex T-412 type calendered paper substrate | 45 – 65 | 55 |
| node adhesive (epoxy/phenolic)printed node lines bonding the paper webs | 1 – 4 | 2 |
| phenolic resin coatingmultiple dip-and-cure coats; sets density and strength | ≥ 35 (balance) | — |
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex — frequently asked
What is Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex used for?
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex is typically used for aircraft interior panels, sandwich composite floors, radomes and lightweight structural panels. In short: dielectric non-metallic core; fire-resistant sandwich core; 29–128 kg/m³ range.
What is the tensile strength of Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex?
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.305 ksi) — weaker than 92% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades). Cut with sharp band knife, hot-wire-free rotary blade, waterjet (dry cells must be dried) or CNC router with vacuum/ice/potting support; avoid crushing cells and deburr fuzz before bonding.
Can Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex be welded?
Not weldable — cores are joined by film adhesive splicing, foaming adhesive edge splices or potting compound at inserts.
What surface finishes work on Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex?
Edges and fastener zones are potted with epoxy syntactic; cores must be kept dry (bagged, dried before bonding) since absorbed moisture blows the bondline during cure.
Can Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex be formed, bent or molded?
Standard hex core takes single curvature only; use OX or Flex-Core for tighter/compound curves, and heat-form or pre-crush cores before co-curing skins.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex?
Nomex Honeycomb Core Flex is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F), and briefly to 220°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- HexWeb HRH-10 Aramid Fibre/Phenolic Honeycomb Product Data — Hexcel (2020)
- Cormaster Aramid Honeycomb C1 Series — Schütz / Euro-Composites (2021)
- ASTM C365 / C273 / C297 — Honeycomb core flatwise compression, shear and flatwise tension — ASTM (2016)
- MIL-HDBK-23 / CMH-17 Vol.6 Sandwich Structures — DoD / CMH-17 (2013)
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.