What Is a Honeycomb Panel?
Honeycomb means beehive. By laying out hexagons like a beehive, it is possible to achieve “maximum strength with minimum material,” so a honeycomb structure is mechanically ideal.
Honeycomb panels are ultra-lightweight, high-strength panels with a honeycomb core sandwiched between face plates, the majority of the volume is air. These panels can be tapped, drilled, notched, or otherwise processed and treated in the same way as ordinary metal materials.
Honeycomb panels are used when a significant weight reduction is desired without compromising strength.
Uses of Honeycomb Panels
Made from aluminum, paper, and plastic, honeycomb panels are selected for different applications because their strength and weight vary depending on the coarseness of the honeycomb core. Aramid fiber composites and carbon fiber composites are used in the aerospace field, while aluminum is generally used for building materials, medical equipment, and furniture.
In addition, honeycomb cores have the effect of regulating turbulent air flow (rectifying action) and can be used as rectifying plates for showcases and the like. It is also applied in various ways to muffle sound and insulate heat.
Principles of Honeycomb Panels
1. High Rigidity
The structure of a honeycomb panel can be thought of as a collection of hexagonally arranged I-shaped beams, making the entire panel resistant to deformation. The honeycomb-supported surfaces achieve high out-of-plane stiffness, allowing for higher loads.
2. Fatigue Properties
Compared to welded or mechanically bonded plate structures, there is no stress concentration, resulting in superior fatigue properties. It also has superior acoustic fatigue due to honeycombing.
3. Surface Smoothness
No distortion that occurs when bolting or riveting, and a smooth, flat surface can be obtained during molding and assembly, resulting in a beautiful appearance.
4. Shock Absorption
When subjected to load in the direction of thickness, honeycomb buckles while maintaining an almost constant load, which is the reason for its high shock-absorbing property.
5. Heat Insulation
More than 90% of the air volume is contained within each independent cell, preventing air convection.
6. Sound Deadening Properties
When a small hole is made on one side of the board, acoustic energy resonates in the air inside to produce a muffling effect. The frequency at which the sound is muffled depends on the cell size of the honeycomb and the thickness of the panel.