Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)
also Nomex, HRH-10
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is phenolic-resin-dipped aramid paper honeycomb to MIL-PRF-8073, offered in 1/8 in to 3/8 in cells at densities from 1.5 to 8.0 pcf (0.048 g/cm³ typical) plus overexpanded OX grades.
Reference datasheet — Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) 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 1/8-3.0 condition
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) grades and fills
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. 1/8-3.0 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRH-10-3/8-1.5 | Coarsest standard cell — lowest cost per area, for non-structural panels and duct work. | 0.65 | |||
HRH-10-1/8-1.5 | Lightest common grade for lightly loaded interior sandwich panels and radomes. | 0.7 | |||
HRH-10-1/4-1.5 | Low-cost, low-density large-cell core for lightly loaded interior and acoustic panels. | 0.7 | |||
HRH-10-3/16-2.0 | Larger cell at the same density — cheaper and easier to fill/vent, slightly lower skin support. | 1 | |||
HRH-10-1/8-2.0 | Standard interior-panel core: good weight/strength balance for galleys, sidewalls and cargo liners. | 2 | |||
HRH-10/OX-3/16-3.0 | Overexpanded (rectangular) cell that drapes over single-curvature tooling without core crush. | 2 | |||
HRH-10-3/16-3.0 | Medium-density large-cell grade for radomes and thick sandwich panels. | 3 | |||
HRH-10-1/4-3.1 | Large-cell medium-density core used in thick radome and rail-vehicle sandwich constructions. | 3 | |||
1/8-3.0Default HRH-10-1/8-3.0 | Workhorse density for floor panels and structural interior sandwich; the reference grade for HRH-10 data. | 3 | |||
HRH-10-1/8-4.0 | Higher-load floor and edge-close-out core where crush and insert pull-out govern. | 5 | |||
HRH-10-1/8-5.0 | Dense core for hard points, hinge zones and heavily trafficked flooring. | 7 | |||
HRH-10-1/8-6.0 | High-density grade for load-introduction zones and energy-absorbing applications. | 8 | |||
HRH-10-1/8-8.0 | Maximum-density HRH-10 for fitting areas, crash-absorbers and highly loaded inserts. | 12 |
What is Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is phenolic-resin-dipped aramid paper honeycomb to MIL-PRF-8073, offered in 1/8 in to 3/8 in cells at densities from 1.5 to 8.0 pcf (0.048 g/cm³ typical) plus overexpanded OX grades. It is the dominant core for composite aircraft and rail interior panels because it is fire-resistant, dielectric and non-corroding, with about 0.172 GPa modulus and 0.055 W/m·K thermal conductivity. Cell walls absorb moisture if stored unsealed, service temperature is limited by the phenolic resin, and unit cost is above aluminium honeycomb, which is the usual alternative when radio transparency and fire performance are not required. Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 275°C (527 °F). Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.435 ksi), weaker than 89% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.17 GPa (0.0249 Msi).
What is Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) used for?
- aircraft interior sandwich panels
- radomes
- rail car partitions
- wind turbine blade cores
- antenna structures
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), better than 97% of composite grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 0.17 GPa (0.0249 Msi), worse than 89% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.06 W/m·K (0.0318 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of composite grades
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)-1/8-3.0; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical2
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0017 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 275°C (527 °F).
Mechanical6
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.435 ksi), weaker than 89% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.17 GPa (0.0249 Msi).
Thermal7
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.06 W/m·K (0.0318 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of composite grades.
Electrical3
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability1
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)'s machinability is fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades).
Common Calculations3
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. Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)
Is Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) easy to machine?
CNC route, band-knife or hot-wire-free blade cutting with sharp/serrated tools and vacuum hold-down; core crush and fuzzing are the main defects — chamfer edges before bonding.
Can Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) be welded?
Not weldable; cores are spliced with foaming film adhesive or potted compound and closed out with edge fillers.
Can Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) be formed, bent or molded?
Flat blocks are heat-formed or drape-formed to single curvature (OX grades for tighter radii); co-cure or secondary bond to prepreg/wet-layup skins with film adhesive at 120–180 °C under low pressure to avoid cell crush.
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) 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 (Nomex type 412)hexagonal cell walls, node-bonded before expansion | 40 – 60 | 50 |
| phenolic resinmultiple dip-and-cure coatings set the final density and strength | ≥ 40 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?
Dry the core before bonding (moisture causes skin blows); pot inserts with epoxy compound, seal exposed edges to keep water out of the cells, and never leave the core exposed to UV.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- NomexHRH-10MIL-PRF-8073
How much does Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) cost?
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) 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.
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) — frequently asked
What is Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) used for?
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is typically used for aircraft interior sandwich panels, radomes, rail car partitions, wind turbine blade cores and antenna structures. In short: standard aircraft interior core; fire-resistant and dielectric; non-corroding aramid core.
What is the tensile strength of Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) — weaker than 89% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 63% of composite grades). CNC route, band-knife or hot-wire-free blade cutting with sharp/serrated tools and vacuum hold-down; core crush and fuzzing are the main defects — chamfer edges before bonding.
Can Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) be welded?
Not weldable; cores are spliced with foaming film adhesive or potted compound and closed out with edge fillers.
What surface finishes work on Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?
Dry the core before bonding (moisture causes skin blows); pot inserts with epoxy compound, seal exposed edges to keep water out of the cells, and never leave the core exposed to UV.
Can Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) be formed, bent or molded?
Flat blocks are heat-formed or drape-formed to single curvature (OX grades for tighter radii); co-cure or secondary bond to prepreg/wet-layup skins with film adhesive at 120–180 °C under low pressure to avoid cell crush.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10)?
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F), and briefly to 200°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) cost?
Nomex Honeycomb (HRH-10) 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
- HexWeb HRH-10 Nomex Honeycomb — Product Data — Hexcel (2020)
- MIL-PRF-8073 Core Material, Plastic Honeycomb — US DoD (2016)
- ASTM C365 / C273 / C297 sandwich core test methods — ASTM (2022)
- Nomex Type 410/412 Aramid Paper Technical Data — DuPont (2019)
- CMH-17 Volume 6: Structural Sandwich Composites — SAE International (2013)
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.