Aluminum honeycomb Flex-Core®

for aeronautics

when compared to a standard hexagonal configuration, provides for exceptional formability into compound curvatures with reduced anticlastic curvature, and improved cell angularity to the contour part surface. HexWeb® Flex-Core® is offered in both Non-Metallic and Metallic materials. Highly contoured sandwich panels, such as leading edges and flaps, nacelles, fairings, doors, and access covers, as well as other parabolic, spherical and cylindrical shapes are prime candidates for Flex-Core®. HexWeb® Flex-Core® applications exist whenever extreme curvature dictates flexible cell geometry, such as radomes, ducts, leading edges of wings and stabilizers. Any structure requiring exceptional stiffness combined with minimal weight gain can benefit from HexWeb® honeycomb. HexWeb® is a lightweight core material that is available with regular hexagonal, over-expanded (OX), Flexcore, or Double-Flex cells. It offers versatility in density, cell size and other properties and is also suitable for high volume manufacture. Hexcel was the first company in the USA to manufacture expanded honeycomb on a commercial scale. Today, more than 700 varieties are produced in a wide range of materials and cell configurations. Industrial Applications In addition to the aerospace market Hexcel honeycomb is used in sandwich constructions for a wide range of industrial applications - from boat hulls and train interiors, to sports equipment and car chassis and body panels. HexWeb® aluminum honeycomb is also used for its excellent energy absorption characteristics, for example in automotive crash test barriers.