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Common Core Materials

PortaFab has the equipment, technology, and experience to process nearly all of the commonly used core materials for composite panels.

The following chart highlights some of the main characteristics of our primary core materials. Other core materials include mineral insulation board, fiberglass, plywood, hardboard, and gypsum.

 

Honeycomb Cores
Characteristic Kraft Paper Aluminum Polypropylene Nomex™
Weight Med-Low Med-Low Medium Medium
Strength Good Excellent Fair Very Good
Fire Resistance Poor Excellent Poor Excellent
Thermal Control Very Good Poor Good Very Good
Sound Control Fair Poor Very Good Fair
Impact Resistance Poor Poor Excellent Good
Moisture Resistance Poor Excellent Excellent Excellent
Cost Low Medium Medium High

 

Foam Cores
Characteristic Polystyrene Polyisocyanurate Polyurethane
Weight Very Low Med-Low Med-High
Strength Poor Poor Very Good
Fire Resistance Poor Excellent Good
Thermal Control Very Good Very Good Excellent
Sound Control Fair Fair Excellent
Impact Resistance Fair Poor Very Good
Moisture Resistance Poor Fair Very Good
Cost Very Low Med-Low Med-High