Nomex
Nomex is a meta-aramid used for flame and electrical resistance rather than stiffness, with density 1.1 g/cm³, tensile strength 90 MPa, elongation 12 % and service to about 220 °C.
Reference datasheet — Nomex 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 410 condition
Nomex grades and fills
Nomex is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. 410 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phenolic-coated aramid honeycomb core, 29 kg/m³ | Lightest common grade for radomes, ducts and non-structural interior panels. | 0.85 | |||
Phenolic-coated aramid honeycomb core, 48 kg/m³ | Standard aerospace/interior sandwich core: best strength-to-weight with good damage tolerance and FST performance. | 2 | |||
Phenolic-coated aramid honeycomb core, 144 kg/m³ | High-density core for floor panels, hard points and highly loaded sandwich zones. | 10 | |||
Uncalendered low-density aramid paper | Soft, porous, highly conformable paper for cushioning/impregnation where varnish penetration matters more than dielectric strength. | 20 | 8 | ||
993/994 | Rigid 1.5–9 mm board for transformer spacers, barriers and end-frame insulation at class 220. | 45 | 6 | ||
Mica-filled corona-resistant aramid paper | Pick for inverter-fed motors and traction windings where partial-discharge (corona) endurance is required. | 55 | 7 | ||
410Default Calendered meta-aramid insulation paper | Standard high-density insulating paper for motor slot liners, phase insulation and transformer windings (class 220). | 90 | 12 | ||
Aramid-paper/phenolic laminate sheet | Machinable rigid laminate for lightweight FR structural panels, bushings and electrical insulation parts. | 140 | 2 | 100 HRM |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Nomex is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. A reinforced fill changes stiffness and elongation; the branded products above carry the filled values.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FIBER | Staple / filament fibre | Supply form |
FABRIC | Nomex IIIA / Delta-type FR fabric | Reinforcement |
What is Nomex?
Nomex is a meta-aramid used for flame and electrical resistance rather than stiffness, with density 1.1 g/cm³, tensile strength 90 MPa, elongation 12 % and service to about 220 °C. It is supplied as type 410, 411 and 418 insulation paper, PB993 pressboard, staple fiber, woven fabric, honeycomb core in 48, 29 and 144 kg/m³ classes and phenolic-impregnated laminate. Engineers use it for sandwich cores, thermal-protective clothing and Class H electrical insulation; machinability rates 50 for paper and core. It has no melting point and is hygroscopic, so drying before bonding or varnishing is required; para-aramids such as Kevlar are the choice when structural strength is needed. Nomex has a density of 1.1 g/cm³ (0.0397 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 275°C (527 °F). Nomex has a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), weaker than 72% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi).
What is Nomex used for?
- honeycomb sandwich cores
- firefighter/protective clothing
- electrical insulation paper
- filtration media
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 12%, better than 94% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 1.1 g/cm³ (0.0397 lb/in³), better than 81% of composite grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 10/100, worse than 97% of composite grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 4.5%, worse than 95% of composite grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 86% of composite grades
- Low stiffness — 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi), worse than 82% of composite grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of composite grades
Nomex properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nomex-410; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
Nomex has a density of 1.1 g/cm³ (0.0397 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 275°C (527 °F).
Mechanical4
Nomex has a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), weaker than 72% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 2.5 GPa (0.363 Msi).
Thermal8
Nomex is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Nomex is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 30 kV/mm (762 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 64% of composite grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Nomex takes about 260 MJ of energy and emits 11 kg of CO₂ — more than 57% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Nomex's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 69% 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. Nomex is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Nomex
Is Nomex easy to machine?
Paper and pressboard die-cut, laser or waterjet cut cleanly; honeycomb core needs razor/serrated blades, high-speed router with sharp carbide or waterjet plus vacuum fixturing to avoid cell crush and fuzzing.
Can Nomex be welded?
Not weldable or heat-sealable (no melting point) — join by adhesive bonding, resin impregnation, stitching or mechanical clamping.
Can Nomex be formed, bent or molded?
Paper and honeycomb are cold-formable/creped to gentle curvature; core is expanded from an HOBE block and phenolic-dipped, and sandwich panels are co-cured or bonded with 120–180 °C film adhesive.
Nomex 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 |
|---|---|---|
| mica filleronly in corona-resistant 418-type paper | 0 – 50 | 0 |
| phenolic resin coatingonly in honeycomb core / laminate forms | 0 – 45 | 0 |
| poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (meta-afrom m-phenylenediamine + isophthaloyl chloride; paper grades = floc + binder fibrids | balance |
What surface finishes work on Nomex?
Dry the material before bonding or varnish impregnation (hygroscopic); surfaces accept phenolic/epoxy varnish, corona or plasma treatment improves adhesion; no plating or polishing applies.
How much does Nomex cost?
Nomex is a high-cost composite ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Nomex — frequently asked
What is Nomex used for?
Nomex is typically used for honeycomb sandwich cores, firefighter/protective clothing, electrical insulation paper and filtration media. In short: flame-resistant meta-aramid; standard honeycomb core material; class H electrical insulation.
What is the tensile strength of Nomex?
Nomex has a typical tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 72% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is Nomex easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 69% of composite grades). Paper and pressboard die-cut, laser or waterjet cut cleanly; honeycomb core needs razor/serrated blades, high-speed router with sharp carbide or waterjet plus vacuum fixturing to avoid cell crush and fuzzing.
Can Nomex be welded?
Not weldable or heat-sealable (no melting point) — join by adhesive bonding, resin impregnation, stitching or mechanical clamping.
What surface finishes work on Nomex?
Dry the material before bonding or varnish impregnation (hygroscopic); surfaces accept phenolic/epoxy varnish, corona or plasma treatment improves adhesion; no plating or polishing applies.
Can Nomex be formed, bent or molded?
Paper and honeycomb are cold-formable/creped to gentle curvature; core is expanded from an HOBE block and phenolic-dipped, and sandwich panels are co-cured or bonded with 120–180 °C film adhesive.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nomex?
Nomex is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F), and briefly to 300°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Nomex cost?
Nomex is a high-cost composite ($$$$), 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
- Nomex 410 / 411 / 418 Technical Data Sheets — DuPont (2022)
- HexWeb HRH-10 Aramid Fibre/Phenolic Honeycomb Product Data — Hexcel (2020)
- Nomex Brand Fiber Technical Guide — DuPont (2021)
- IEC 60216 / IEC 60641 insulation thermal classification (class 220) — IEC (2013)
- ASTM D202 — Testing Insulating Paper — ASTM (2017)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
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.