5056 Aluminum Honeycomb Core

In marine, aviation, military, and extreme environments, 5056 aluminum honeycomb core stands out for its corrosion resistance, strength, and dimensional stability—making it ideal for high-reliability sandwich structures like ship components, cabin supports, missile modules, and offshore platforms.

Chalco provides 5056 honeycomb core products with various pore sizes, densities and structural styles, covering standard structures, energy-absorbing and buffering types, 3D preformed structures and composite special-shaped components, and supporting processing services such as anode, punching, and compression molding to meet your full process needs from engineering proofing to mass delivery.

Chalco 5056 aluminum honeycomb core parameters overview

In order to meet the requirements of different structural designs and composite sandwiches, Chalco provides 5056 aluminum honeycomb core materials in a variety of specifications and combinations, which can be delivered in both unexpanded and expanded states. Core parameters such as side length, core thickness, flute thickness and density can be customized according to customer needs, and surface treatment and material consistency testing supporting services are provided.Quick Quote

• Delivery form: Unexpanded/expanded/pre-cut blocks can be delivered in fixed length and width according to the drawing, which is convenient for bonding and assembly of composite panels.
• Surface: Bare foil/XR1 anti-corrosion coating/Perforated/anodized coating (anodization is recommended for aviation interlayer to improve corrosion resistance and bonding strength)
• Support CAD drawing/sample analysis: provide structural strength and connection method evaluation
• Provide consistency test data: side length error, thickness tolerance, batch density, mechanical properties, etc.; jump to view[Technical Parameters Detailed Explanation]
• Perfect quality system and aviation material compliance capabilities: ISO 9001, AS9100, RoHS / REACH, GB/T 19001, GJB 9001, Nadcap (NDT / Heat Treating / Welding / Materials Testing) …

Chalco 5056 honeycomb core patented product type

Based on the excellent strength and corrosion resistance of 5056 high-magnesium aluminum alloy, Chalco has developed a variety of honeycomb core structure products suitable for high loads, complex environments and functional composite requirements. Whether it is used for ship decks, aviation structures, thermal management modules, energy absorption and buffer units, we can provide a variety of solutions from standard hexagonal units to complex preformed surfaces, multi-axis dislocation structures and customized processing modules.

Chalco's 5056 honeycomb core material products cover a complete system from standard structural type, energy absorption functional type, special-shaped composite type to pre-assembled structural parts, meeting the multiple needs of aerospace, shipbuilding and offshore engineering, rail transit equipment and industrial protection.

• Microcell honeycomb core

  The unit side length is <1.6mm, with high density and strong structural rigidity, suitable for energy absorption layers, vibration reduction structures, and military electronic module housings.

• Curved/Pre-Formed core

  The molded pre-bending treatment can fit streamlined surfaces or special-shaped structures, such as cabin curved wall panels, fairings, missile fairings, etc.

• Block form core

  The thickness is ≥150mm and can be compositely processed into buffer modules, cushion structures or structural filling bodies. It is suitable for cabin support and pressure-resistant bottom layers.

• Perforated honeycomb core

  It supports chip fringing punching and has good ventilation/pressure relief/heat dissipation capabilities, suitable for electronic equipment and thermal management board systems.

• 3D honeycomb core

  The three-dimensional spherical/arc honeycomb body is formed by molding and composite bending process, which is suitable for highly complex curvature structural parts and buffer energy absorption components.

• Milled component honeycomb block

  The block honeycomb core can be cut by CNC/CNC precision milling to form a local contour and groove structure, which is suitable for assembling alignment structures or special-shaped plug-in components.

• Semi-finished honeycomb core structural components

  Pre-cut, partially processed or secondary structurally bonded honeycomb core components can be directly integrated into aircraft sections, ship subsystems, equipment housings and other structures.

All 5056 honeycomb core products support customized pore size, density, thickness and surface treatment (anodization, coating, punching, etc.), and can provide test reports, drawing matching and proofing services.

To view the characteristics and selection recommendations of various honeycomb structures, please jump to [Honeycomb Core Structure Selection Guide] Or [Quick Quote]

Analysis of the performance advantages of 5056 honeycomb core materials

representative material of honeycomb core for high magnesium structure, 5056 aluminum honeycomb core has excellent mechanical properties and environmental stability. It is widely used in composite sandwich systems with extremely high requirements on strength and corrosion resistance, such as aerospace structural compartments, ship interiors, electronic equipment protection structures, energy absorption modules, etc.

High strength and stable support performance: Made of 5056-H18 aluminum foil, the honeycomb structure has excellent load-bearing capacity in both compression and shear directions. After the core is expanded, the structure is uniform and rigid, suitable for thick support blocks, pressure-resistant tables, high-speed aircraft anti-collision structures, etc. Excellent corrosion resistance: 5056 is a high-magnesium aluminum alloy with strong resistance to seawater corrosion and industrial atmosphere corrosion, far superior to 3003 and 5052 series honeycomb core materials, especially suitable for long-term service applications such as ship interiors, missile shells, and hot and humid environment equipment packaging.

Strong dimensional stability, adaptable to complex structures: Through precise expansion process and surface tension control, Chalco 5056 honeycomb core material can maintain small warpage and in-plane strain under multi-aperture and multi-density configurations, and is suitable for large cabin panels, special-shaped supports and composite curved surface panels.

Compatible with multiple processes and adaptable to highly integrated composite systems: supports various surface and functional treatments such as anodizing, XR1 anti-corrosion coating, and perforated ventilation structure. It has good bonding performance and composite bonding ability, and can be composited and integrated with aluminum plates, titanium plates, glass fiber/carbon fiber plates, composite bulletproof layers and other materials.

Chalco 5056 honeycomb core material processing and supply capabilities

In order to meet the stringent requirements of aerospace, shipbuilding, marine engineering and high-end equipment fields for honeycomb core material structure accuracy, consistency and service stability, Chalco has established a complete 5056 aluminum honeycomb core material processing and supply system, covering the entire process from aluminum foil raw materials → honeycomb forming → post-processing → precision delivery, supporting complex structure customization, stable batch production and global delivery response.Quick Quote

Processing service capabilities

Expansion processing: Supports standard expansion, over-expansion and directional expansion control to ensure that the honeycomb core is flat, the structure is uniform, and there is no warping, which is suitable for large-size structural applications.

Precision cutting: It can be cut to a fixed length and width according to the drawing. It is suitable for large-area panelization, modular assembly of composite panels and integrated pressing of thick core structures.

Preforming processing: supports mold hot pressing and local gradient forming, and can realize complex three-dimensional honeycomb structures such as cabin surface, fairing, streamlined shell, etc.

Hole opening/punching treatment: Provides functional structural design such as honeycomb core ventilation holes, pressure relief holes, heat channel holes, etc., suitable for composite panel systems such as thermal management, sound insulation, and heat dissipation layers.

Multi-Layer Lamination: Multiple layers of honeycomb core can be laminated into a thick core body, which is used for key structural parts such as high-pressure resistance, buffering and energy absorption, and shipborne equipment support.

Surface treatment package

Anodizing: Enhances the corrosion resistance of honeycomb fluted sheets and improves the bonding strength with the composite adhesive layer. It is particularly suitable for sandwich panels in ships, oceans and humid environments.

Chemical cleaning and sealing treatment (Surface Preparation): Optimize the adhesion of the bonding interface and improve the interface stability and overall durability of the composite structure.

Anti-corrosion coating support (Coating Compatible): XR1 anti-corrosion coating or customized coating treatment can be carried out, which is suitable for structural systems with high requirements for anti-corrosion life, such as ships, military industry, and transportation equipment

Supply capacity and support

Delivery status:

• Unexpanded state → convenient for customers to expand by themselves and reduce transportation volume
• Expanded state → ready-to-install delivery, suitable for batch composite sandwich lamination
• Module cutting state → Suitable for hot pressing and laminating with panel

Packaging: Industrial strong protective corrugated box + positioning foam partition + anti-oxidation vacuum film, support export wooden box reinforcement

Delivery control: conventional specifications can be delivered within 7-10 working days at the earliest, and the delivery time of complex structures can be evaluated and confirmed

Certification and documentation: density test, side length/thickness test report, anodizing record, batch traceability information can be attached

Chalco offers integrated honeycomb core services from raw material to molding and assembly, aligned with the production rhythm of complex aerospace structures. We also provide related products to support one-stop sandwich structure solutions. Submit your drawings or requirements for technical support and quotations. Quick Quote

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Chalco 5056 honeycomb core material application cooperation areas

With its excellent corrosion resistance, strong support capacity and structural consistency, Chalco 5056 honeycomb core material has been widely used in many types of high-performance sandwich systems, especially in extreme environments, high loads and long service life scenarios. Chalco can provide customized core structure design and supporting composite solutions according to the actual working conditions of the project, helping customers complete the entire process from sample development to mass delivery.Quick Quote

Aerospace structural sandwich systems

• Application areas: Cabin curved wall panels, equipment support platforms, load compartment structures, fairing interlayers
• Recommended structure: STD / R2 / R2S / preformed honeycomb core
• Core value: high compression resistance, high stiffness, fatigue resistance, suitable for anodizing and high-strength composite system

Ship and offshore structures

• Application areas: shipborne equipment support plates, cabin interior parts, salt spray resistant structural packaging, ventilation protection plates
• Recommended structure: R2 / 2R2S / block honeycomb core / perforated ventilation structure
• Core value: extremely strong resistance to salt spray and marine corrosion, suitable for high humidity and alternating hot and cold service environments

Military and protective equipment

• Application areas: missile-borne component support, military packaging shell, impact energy absorption cushion, explosion-proof structure interlayer
• Recommended structure: micro-cell honeycomb core/block honeycomb core/R2S staggered structure
• Core value: Support thick core, strong energy absorption structure configuration, adapt to high security level tactical environment

Lightweight platform for rail transit

• Application areas: body floor interlayer, ceiling decorative panels, equipment module core, door structure parts
• Recommended structure: STD / perforated honeycomb core / pre-cut block honeycomb core
• Core value: light structure, high rigidity, good composite fit and dimensional stability

Industrial composite functional panel

• Application areas: high-load operating tables, impact buffer structures, thermal management module substrates, composite board core filling
• Recommended structure: Block honeycomb core / multi-layer composite core / ECM three-dimensional structure
• Core value: Applicable to functional composite scenarios, compatible with various surface materials and bonding processes

Detailed explanation of technical parameters of Chalco 5056 new honeycomb material

5056 honeycomb core structure selection guide and FAQs

In actual engineering projects, the selection of honeycomb core structure needs to be accurately matched according to the force direction, application environment and panel matching method. The following are common structural type recommendations and answers to typical questions to help you quickly determine the applicable solution.Quick Quote

Recommendations for selecting common 5056 honeycomb core material structure types

• If both lightweight and rigid structure are important: STD / R2 is recommended
• If you need to have the ability to absorb energy: 2R2S / Block Core is recommended
• Multi-directional forces or complex curvature structures: R2S / Pre-formed is recommended
• If there is a need for heat dissipation/pressure relief, the Perforated structure is recommended.

How to order 5056 honeycomb core material? How to understand the ordering parameters of 5056 honeycomb core material?

PAMG – XR1 – 5.0 – 3/16 – P – E PAA – 5056 – Density – Pixel Size – Perforation Status –

The meaning of each parameter is as follows:

• PAMG: Product Series (XR1 for corrosion protection expansion)
• 5056: Aluminum foil material
• 5.0: Density (unit: pcf )
• 3/16: Cell aperture (unit: inches)
• P/N: Perforated or not (P = Perforated, N = Non-perforated)
• E / U: whether expanded (E = Expanded, U = Unexpanded)

What are the advantages of 5056 honeycomb core compared with 3003 and 5052?

• Higher strength, suitable for thick core /heavy load/ high impact structure
• Excellent resistance to seawater and salt spray corrosion, especially suitable for ships and hot and humid environments
• Supports multiple surface treatments and thick core structure composites, with strong processing compatibility

Does it support small batch/customized processing?

Yes, Chalco can provide unexpanded, expanded, pre-cut and molded forms to suit small batch samples and mass engineering projects.

What panel materials can be composited?

Compatible with aluminum alloy, titanium plate, stainless steel, CFRP/GFRP composite panels, etc., and can be composited by gluing, hot pressing, riveting and other methods.

Do you provide test reports and certifications?

COC, COA, side length error, density deviation, strength test, anodizing record, Nadcap certification and other documents can be provided on demand to meet the compliance requirements of military and export projects.