Fiberglass Honeycomb Panels – Advanced Materials Used in Aerospace

The aluminum honeycomb core structure was first used in the aerospace industry in the 1950s, and for a good reason. Due to its composition and build, it ensures a very strong structure at a relatively low price that increases cost-efficiency. Over time, the technology found its way to other applications, such as building and construction. Modern versions of the material, such as fiberglass honeycomb panels, are still widely used in aerospace applications.

Why fiberglass?

A fiberglass honeycomb panel is composed of two layers of fiberglass sheets or a layer of fiberglass, and others are aluminum sheets with an aluminum honeycomb core at the center. This construction makes it useful for backing stone veneer panels used in exterior cladding. Fiberglass shares thermal conductivity properties with natural stone. So, even when temperatures rapidly change or fluctuate outdoors, the material and the stone move together in similar ranges. This way, the stone veneer panel remains straight and less prone to bowing.

Guaranteed bonding

The older versions of the fiberglass honeycomb panel used resin on the fiberglass sheets to create the layer. However, the resin becomes the panel’s weakest point because it typically fails at 1.2MPa when subject to flatwise tensile strength tests. That makes it unsuitable for exterior cladding panels.

High-quality fiberglass honeycomb panels are manufactured with well-known adhesives from reputable suppliers. That makes them practical as backing panels for laminating stone panels. New-generation panels with modified epoxy are stronger and more reliable compared to those made with traditional resin. The better adhesive ensures higher tensile strength at 2.5MPa, which is twice the strength of the older version.

Why honeycomb panels?

The dependable performance of fiberglass honeycomb panels can also be attributed to the composition of the aluminum honeycomb core. It’s lightweight and highly rigid, making it practical in aerospace applications and projects where mechanical stability, heat and sound insulation, and low weight with high strength are required.

If you’re buying these materials, make sure they come from a reputable manufacturer that follows stringent quality control and safety standards. That way, you can be sure that you’re investing in high-quality materials that will ensure the reliability and longevity of your project.